Penbox with Portrait of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar

1840s

Not on view

Large-size lacquer penboxes depicting full-scale portraits of a Qajar ruler are rare. This example bears the portrait of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) seated on a jeweled throne in a Europeanizing landscape. He wears a European military uniform with trousers and a jacket with epaulettes. He is also shown with a jeweled belt and armbands (bazubands). The eclectic nature of the details of portrait reflect the "in-between" spirit of the first decades of the shah's reign.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Title: Penbox with Portrait of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar
Date: 1840s
Geography: Probably made in Iran
Medium: Papier-mache; painted and varnished
Dimensions: W. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
L. 11 in. (28 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Purchase, 2017 and 2018 NoRuz at The Met Benefits, 2022
Object Number: 2022.323a, b
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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