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Pen Box

Fathallah Shirazi Iranian

dated 1299 AH/1881–82 CE

Not on view

Floral and bird designs are the hallmark of the lacquer works and drawings by Fathallah Shirazi who worked in a palette of gold and black. This work is a variation of his characteristic style in that the floral and bird vignettes appear in silhouette on a gold ground. The penbox bears an extensive Persian inscription in nasta'liq script revealing that this work was commissioned by a non-royal patron suggesting that even though Fathullah was primarily a court painter, he took private commissions from time to time.

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Pen Box, Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

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This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Pen Box

Artist: Fathallah Shirazi (Iranian, active 1850s–80s)

Date: dated 1299 AH/1881–82 CE

Geography: Made in Iran

Medium: Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

Dimensions: H. 1 5/16 in. (3.3 cm.)
W. 1 9/16 in. (4 cm.)
L. 8 11/16 in. (22 cm.)

Classification: Lacquer

Credit Line: Purchase, 2017 and 2018 NoRuz at The Met Benefits, 2023

Object Number: 2023.504

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