A FINELY ENGRAVED IRANIAN SILVER CONFECTIONERY LIDDED BOX
Isfahan, Iran, circa 1960, mark of Mohammad Taqi Zufan (1894 - 1979)

Of short cylindrical shape surmounted by a convex lid, resting on a flat base, the exterior finely engraved with typical Iranian silver motifs including lush scrolls of rosettes and foliage, interlocking split palmette trellis, rosette medallions filled with arabesques and star patterns, and stylised lotus flowers, stamped in the centre of the base Mohammad Taqi, '84', 20cm diam. and 3.5cm high.

Mohammad Taqi Zufan of Isfahan (1894 - 1979) was one of the most prominent Iranian silversmiths of the 20th century. A rare recipient of an Imperial medal for his artistry, his highly organised workshop trained generations of silversmiths and undertook the most prestigious commissions of the period, the best-known perhaps the gold and silver shrine of the eighth Imam of the Shi'as, Imam Reza, in Mashad. Indeed, in 1959, the shrine previously erected by Fath Ali Shah Qajar was replaced by Taqi's creation to prevent further wear and tear. Taqi's iconic molamma' 'milk and sugar' technique using both gold and silver has been admired by millions of worshippers and pilgrims since.

This box showcases the finesse and delicacy characteristic of his workshop, without leaving out a single detail from the classic decorative repertoire of 20th-century Iranian silver.