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Pen Box with Architectural Cartouches

'Ali Ashraf Iranian
dated 1156 AH/1743–44 CE
Not on view
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Iran witnessed a proliferation in the production of lacquer objects. Regarded as desirable possessions and status symbols, painted lacquerwares were commissioned by royal and elite patrons, sold commercially and exported abroad in quantity. Lacquer painters took great pride in their individual styles, which they demonstrated by signing and dating their works. This one has been created by an artist named Ali Ashraf and dated A.H. 1156/A.D. 1743–44.<br/><br/><br/>A master of the gul-u-bulbul (bird-and-flower) motif seen on lacquer objects from this period in Iran, Ali Ashraf worked in a tight-knit circle that included Hajji Muhammad, who specialized in objects with Europeanizing landscapes, as well as his brother Muhammad Zaman, under whom he trained. The signature on the box reads "After Muhammad, ‘Ali Ashraf is noblest", is a punning reference to his teacher. The irises he combined with architectural views on the box’s decoration are likely a nod to Muhammad Zaman’s well-known series of iris studies.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pen Box with Architectural Cartouches
  • Artist: 'Ali Ashraf (Iranian)
  • Date: dated 1156 AH/1743–44 CE
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Shiraz
  • Medium: Papier-maché; painted, sprinkled with mica, and lacquered
  • Dimensions: L. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
    Depth. 1 1/4 in. (3.1 cm)
  • Classification: Lacquer
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Patti Cadby Birch Gift, funds from various donors, and Paul Anavian and Massoud Nader Gift, 2008
  • Object Number: 2008.246a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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Pen Box with a Europeanizing Landscape, Haji Muhammad Iranian, Papier-maché; painted and lacquered
Pen Box with a Europeanizing Landscape
Haji Muhammad
late 17th–early 18th century
"Portrait of the Russian Ambassador, Prince Andrey Priklonskiy", Folio from the Davis Album, 'Ali Quli Jabbadar Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Portrait of the Russian Ambassador, Prince Andrey Priklonskiy", Folio from the Davis Album
'Ali Quli Jabbadar
dated 1048 AH/1673–74 CE
"Two Old Men in Discussion Outside a Hut", Folio from the Davis Album, 'Ali Quli Jabbadar Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Two Old Men in Discussion Outside a Hut", Folio from the Davis Album
'Ali Quli Jabbadar
dated 1085 AH/1674–75 CE
The Lovers, Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
The Lovers
Riza-yi 'Abbasi
dated 1039 AH/1630 CE
Flower-Style Box with Drawers, Wood (poplar); overlaid with ebony inlaid with wood and incised, stained ivory
Flower-Style Box with Drawers
17th century

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