Friday 31 October 2025

Lot 170

A Qajar lacquered papier-mâché pencase (qalamdan), signed Najaf, Qajar Iran, dated 1848,  Of...

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Lot 170

A Qajar lacquered papier-mâché pencase (qalamdan), signed Najaf, Qajar Iran, dated 1848, 
Of...

Price Realised: £1,050

Estimate: £800 - £1,200

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Price realised is hammer price plus fees (31.2% Buyers Premium inclusive of VAT).

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Lot 170

Description

A Qajar lacquered papier-mâché pencase (qalamdan), signed Najaf, Qajar Iran, dated 1848, 

Of typical oblong form with sliding tray, decorated to lid with three panels with gold outline, arranged horizontally, the larger panel to centre an Indian prince with two attendants is receiving instructions from a sage on a moonlit terrace, the panels to left and right are much more Qajar in style and depict an old man and a lady with two children, possibly scenes of the story of Sheikh Sanan ; and an old man, lady and sleeping child, one side with a scene depicting Kushraw stumbling upon Shirin bathing, the other with a hunting scene, each end with oval portraits of young ladies, the interior, tray sides and base are plain aside from gold bands, the tray's base with collection label QL212, top inscribed in red, 'Ya Shah Najaf 1265',

23.5cm. long

Provenance: Property from an Important Private Collection acquired Sotheby's 24 April, 1979, Lot 401

The above qalamdan compares to the design of three in the Khallili Collection and illustrated in Prof. D. Khalili, T. Stanley, B. Robinson, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Vol I, 1996, nos. 103, 105 and 105. Nos 103 and 104 are attributed to the late 18th century however the scenes at either end on our qalamadan link it to no 105 and to a date in the 19th century. 

Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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