Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden

attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani Iranian

Not on view

This kiyani or imperial pen box by SaniꜤ al-Mulk, a painter at the court of the fifth Qajar ruler, Muzaffar al-Din Shah (1896–1907) is covered with minute paintings. Every surface including the frame, the sides and undersides and interior of the sliding drawers are covered with audience scenes depicting the historic and legendary rulers of Iran, mostly from Firdausi’s Shahnama or Book of Kings and popular Sufi tales. Such elaborate pen boxes were created as presentation pieces for the shah, his court, and other members of the wealthy elite.

Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

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Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished
Pen Box Depicting Shaykh San'an and the Christian Maiden, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani (Iranian, 1814–1892), Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and varnished

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