* A QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MIRROR CASE PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION   Iran, 19th century  Of octagonal form, with hinged flap, the polychrome-painted decoration heightened with gold, depicting on the front the biblical scene of the sacrifice of Isaac, and on the flap's interior and back an almost identical gul-o-bulbul motif amidst hyacinths, daffodils, carnations and butterflies against translucent dark brown ground, two borders of gold floral and vegetal tendrils on black and red ground framing the composition, 24cm x 19.5cm. Biblical scenes as main decorative motives on Iranian artworks are not completely uncommon. Since the integration of the Armenian community in Isfahan during the Safavid period, Christian iconography started making a stronger appearance on local buildings, manuscripts and both lavish and everyday commodities. This decorative trend seems to increase even further in the Qajar period, when contacts between Iran and the West intensify and Western religious works such as biblical prints and illuminated Bibles become more widely available. A similar mirror case with the Virgin and Child and the Adoration of the Magi as the main front image was part of the Saeed Motamed collection and successfully sold at Christie's South Kensington, 7 October 2013, lot 168. * Please note that this lot is subject to import VAT at a preferential rate of 5% on the Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on the Buyer's Premium.