Mirror Case
ca. 1880 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This lacquer case would have held and protected a mirror glass. Mirror cases with closing shutters began to be used in Iran in the 1660s, when mirror glass began to be imported from Europe. Many such luxury items were,like this one, made of ‘lacquer’. This material consisted primarily of varnished paintwork on pasteboard, but it originated through the imitation of Chinese lacquer.
The decoration here consists of miniaturised patterns. The artist was probably Razi Muzahhib, who worked in Tehran in the late 19th century. Razi specialised in non-figurative decoration, using minutely detailed designs in a variety of traditional modes.
The decoration here consists of miniaturised patterns. The artist was probably Razi Muzahhib, who worked in Tehran in the late 19th century. Razi specialised in non-figurative decoration, using minutely detailed designs in a variety of traditional modes.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Mirror glass, painted lacquer |
| Brief description | Lacquer mirror case with abstract floral decoration, Iran (probably Tehran), about 1880. |
| Physical description | 8-sided (elongated octagon) mirror case with cover |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | Jameel Gallery
4-5 Octagonal Mirror Cases
Iran, probably Isfahan, and probably Tehran
Dated 1747, and about 1880
Mirror cases closed by a shutter came into use in the 1600s, when mirror glass began to be imported from Europe. Many were made of lacquer. The first was painted with a poetic 'rose and nightingale' theme by Ali Ashraf. The second has miniaturised patterns, probably by Razi Muzahhib.
Pasteboard, paint, gold and varnish. Signed by Ali Ashraf (4)
Museum nos. 758-1876, 766-1888(2006-2013) |
| Production | Probably by Razi Muzahhib. Made in Iran, probably in Tehran. |
| Summary | This lacquer case would have held and protected a mirror glass. Mirror cases with closing shutters began to be used in Iran in the 1660s, when mirror glass began to be imported from Europe. Many such luxury items were,like this one, made of ‘lacquer’. This material consisted primarily of varnished paintwork on pasteboard, but it originated through the imitation of Chinese lacquer. The decoration here consists of miniaturised patterns. The artist was probably Razi Muzahhib, who worked in Tehran in the late 19th century. Razi specialised in non-figurative decoration, using minutely detailed designs in a variety of traditional modes. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 766&A-1888 |
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| Record created | February 23, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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