Mirror Case
1850-1875 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This mirror case has an enclosed portrait of Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. It is painted in the new, more realistic style that was often used for imaginary portraits of religious figures in the reign of Nasir al-Din Shah (ruled 1848–1896).
He was a member of the Qajar dynasty and also a great patron of portraiture. In his time, Iranian artists trained in Europe, where the Shah travelled on several occasions.
The Qajar dynasty reunited Iran in the 1790s and ruled until 1925. At the beginning of their reign, Iran had been isolated for many years. Soon contact with the outside world was re-established, and over time Qajar art began to reflect developments elsewhere, such as the use of photography by painters.
He was a member of the Qajar dynasty and also a great patron of portraiture. In his time, Iranian artists trained in Europe, where the Shah travelled on several occasions.
The Qajar dynasty reunited Iran in the 1790s and ruled until 1925. At the beginning of their reign, Iran had been isolated for many years. Soon contact with the outside world was re-established, and over time Qajar art began to reflect developments elsewhere, such as the use of photography by painters.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Steel hinged mirror case with inlaid gold border |
| Brief description | Steel mirror case with a portrait of Ali, Iran (probably Isfahan), 1850-75. |
| Physical description | Steel, oblong and hinged mirror case with inlaid gold border. Interior encloses a looking glass and miniature painting depicting a seated 'Ali. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | This object was purchased in Tehran in 1873, by Robert Murdoch Smith on behalf of the Museum. In his first bulk acquisition for the South Kensington Museum (today the V&A), Murdoch Smith had bought "a considerable collection" of over 100 examples of metalwork, ceramic, inlaid woodwork and textile from different local sources, including French diplomat Emile Charles Bernay and four art-dealers: Nasrullah Dellal, Abu'l-Hassan Dellal, Abdul-Husayn and Reza Kashi of Tehran. Many further acquisitions followed in the years 1873-1878 and 1883-1885, most extensively from the private collector Jules Richard. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This mirror case has an enclosed portrait of Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. It is painted in the new, more realistic style that was often used for imaginary portraits of religious figures in the reign of Nasir al-Din Shah (ruled 1848–1896). He was a member of the Qajar dynasty and also a great patron of portraiture. In his time, Iranian artists trained in Europe, where the Shah travelled on several occasions. The Qajar dynasty reunited Iran in the 1790s and ruled until 1925. At the beginning of their reign, Iran had been isolated for many years. Soon contact with the outside world was re-established, and over time Qajar art began to reflect developments elsewhere, such as the use of photography by painters. |
| Bibliographic reference | Curtis, John; Sarikhani Sandmann, Ina; Stanley, Tim, Epic Iran: 5000 Years of Culture, London: V&A Publishing, 2021. 336p., ill. ISBN 978-1851779291. Page 159, cat. 124. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 504-1874 |
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| Record created | January 27, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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