Qalamdan pencil box decorated with women in a landscape, Ira - Lot 265

Qalamdan pencil box decorated with women in a landscape, Iran zand, signed Muhammad Sadiq and dated 1759 Oblong plumier in painted, gilded and lacquered papier-mâché of two European-style women, one seated, the other standing, a basket of flowers in her arms, in a wooded, architectural landscape with figures in the background. In the sky, an inscription quoting the artist in a religious formula: "Sadiq az lutf-i 'Ali ashraf shud" / "Sadiq became nobler by the grace of 'Ali" and the date 1173 H / 1759. On the sides and under the base, gol-o-bolbol floral decoration with birds and butterflies. Length: 22.5 cm Reglazed, cracked and slightly missing. The signature on this pen box is an unusual formulation adopted by Muhammad Sadiq. The mention of 'Ali gives it a religious aspect, but the name Ashraf following him in this formula may also be a nod to his master 'Ali Ashraf. This type of signature is found on other known objects in public collections, such as a pen box in the Metropolitan Museum, New York (2014.257a, b) and a second in the Khalili Collection (LAQ 215).