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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2018.7
People
Zayn al-ʿAbidin [al-Imami]
Title
Pen box with medallions on floral ground
Classification
Artists' Tools
Work Type
pen box
Date
1853-1854
Period
Qajar period
Culture
Persian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/355183

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer over brass layer on pasteboard
Dimensions
3.8 × 3.9 × 22.4 cm (1 1/2 × 1 9/16 × 8 13/16 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: By the artist, written on the prunus trunks
    Ya Mīr Zayn
    kamtarīn Zayn al-`Ābidīn
    1270
    [translation]
    O Mir Zayn!
    The most humble Zayn al-`Abidin
    1853-54

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Kazem R. Kooros, Houston, Texas (by 1969), gift; to his son Saeed Kouros, Houston, Texas (by 1979), gift; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2018.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Saeed Kouros in honor of Kazem R. Kooros
Accession Year
2018
Object Number
2018.7
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Oblong pen box consisting of a cover and sliding compartment with rounded ends. The top bears three lobed medallions and two pendants, all outlined in gold. These are set against a reddish ground beautifully decorated with symmetrical designs of small flowers and leaves. The three medallions hold vignettes of birds perched on the branches of flowering prunus plants set against a black background. The artist's name Zayn al-ʿAbidin and the date 1270 H. (1853-1854) are written on the prunus trunks. Symmetrical floral compositions fill the pendants. The sides and ends bear horizontal segments filled with floral scrolls against a red background. These alternate with smaller segments with iris and poppies set against a dark brown background. The base is decorated with fine gold scrollwork on dark brown background.

Exhibition History

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu