Description:

A CALLIGRAPHIC GOLD-DAMASCENED OPENWORK STEEL STRONGBOX, QAJAR IRAN, 19TH CENTURY
Qajar Iran, 19th century

Description:
A steel strongbox of rectangular form, intricately constructed in openwork and damascened in fine gold with both calligraphy and geometric decoration. The front panel features a prominent inscription in thuluth script in high relief, likely drawn from a Qur’anic verse or invoking divine protection, surrounded by finely pierced floral scrolls. The top, sides, and legs are framed with geometric borders composed of interlaced bands and rosette motifs.

The piece is fitted with a stylised hasp and padlock, also adorned with gold inlay, further enhancing its visual and functional elegance. The high precision of the pierced work, combined with the density of gilded detail, marks this as a work of considerable luxury and technical sophistication—likely a commissioned item for a member of the elite or nobility.

Comparable examples:

  • A Qajar gold-damascened casket with Qur’anic inscription sold at Sotheby’s, Arts of the Islamic World, 25 October 2017, Lot 153, for £22,500.

  • A similar 19th-century pierced and damascened steel box achieved £19,375 at Christie’s, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 24 October 2019, Lot 118.

  • A calligraphic steel casket of comparable form sold at Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, 11 June 2018, Lot 77, for £18,750.

Note:
Boxes such as this exemplify the rich metalworking tradition of Qajar Iran, where surface decoration served both aesthetic and talismanic purposes. The interplay of calligraphy and pierced floral forms reflects a deeply rooted Islamic artistic vocabulary, reimagined here with Qajar exuberance and mastery of gold damascening techniques.

 


Length x Width x Height: 23 x 17 x 17cm

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
£0 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £499 £20
£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £9,999 £500
£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000