Coffret à bijoux à l'image de Yusuf wa Zulayk... Lot n° 202

Iran, Qajar Art, with signature and date Muhammad Ismail 1280 A.H. In painted and lacquered papier-mâché, quadrangular in shape with a stave lid that opens on a hinge to reveal a mirror, standing on four feet and embellished with hardware. The lower sides are decorated with hunting scenes, while the finely painted lid depicts Yusuf appearing before Zulaykha and her friends. Bears a signature and date: Muhammad Ismaïl, 1280H. (=1863/64) Condition: feet restored, a few small chips, good quality. Size: 12 x 19 x 13 cm A Qajar persian polychrome lacquer papier mâché mirror case bearing the signature of Muhammad Ismail, and a date 1280AH. Muhammad Isma'il was a painter of the Qajar period whose works are dated between 1256/1840-41 and 1288/1871-72. He received the title of naqqash-bashi ("chief painter") from Nasir al-Din Shah around 1275/1858-1859. For further information on Muhammad Isma'il, see Nasser D. Khalili, B.W. Robinson and Tim Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, vol. II, London, 1997, p. 46 and M.A. Karimzadeh Tabrizi, The Lives Art of Old Painters of Iran, vol. I, London, 1985, pp. 66-76.