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Lacquer Mirror Case

Painting by Fathallah Shirazi Iranian
dated 1295 AH/1878 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462
The exquisitely painted mirror case has a tan ground covered with a graceful gold grapevine scroll over which the main design has been painted in delicate shades of black. The artist, Fathallah Shirazi, has signed his name and given the date (1295/1878) on one side of the case. The inscription on the other side alludes to the patron but does not give his name. Fathallah was court painter to Nasir al-Din Shah (r. 1848–96), and was highly regarded for his lacquerwork, which is known primarily from a number of penboxes. These most often have a black ground onto which oval scrolls and swags of roses are painted in gold. On this mirror case, however, a variety of sleek birds and robust butterflies are scattered among branches bearing a dazzling array of sumptuous blossoms and bursting buds. This early work of the painter would appear to be the only known example in this particular style.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Lacquer Mirror Case
  • Artist: Painting by Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s)
  • Date: dated 1295 AH/1878 CE
  • Geography: Made in Iran
  • Medium: Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and lacquered
  • Dimensions: H. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm)
    W. 6 1/16 in. (15.4 cm)
    D. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)
  • Classification: Lacquer
  • Credit Line: Gift of Irma B. Wilkinson, 1979
  • Object Number: 1979.460.2a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi Iranian, Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box
Fathallah Shirazi
dated 1299 AH/1881–82 CE
Album of Flower Paintings, Fathallah Shirazi Iranian, Ink on paper
Album of Flower Paintings
Fathallah Shirazi
ca. 1880
Pen Box and Glass Case, Fathallah Shirazi Iranian, Lacquer
Pen Box and Glass Case
Fathallah Shirazi
mid-19th century
Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress, Gypsum plaster; modeled, carved, polychrome-painted, gilded
Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress
12th–early 13th century
Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience, Stonepaste; glazed (opaque monochrome), in-glaze- and overglaze-painted, gilded
Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience
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