Mirror Case

ca. 1875

Islamic, Iranian

Not On View

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About the Artwork

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Markings

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Provenance

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Exhibition History

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Published References

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Catalogue Raisonné

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Credit Line for Reproduction

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About the Artwork

The Safavid seventeenth-century tradition for luxury objects in painted lacquer was continued under the Persian Qajars. This technique, employing an undercoat of gesso and a lacquer varnish, produced richly decorated pieces of great charm. This mirror case (the reverse is illustrated) depicts a nightingale on a rosebush amid hyacinths, primroses, and other blossoms. A Persian sensibility is here integrated with an interest in European botanical studies.

Title Mirror Case

Artwork Date ca. 1875

Artist ----------

Life Dates ----------

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. Iranian

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. Islamic

Medium Papier-mache board, colors, gilding, and lacquer

Dimensions Overall: 7 7/8 × 5 1/4 × 3/8 inches (20 × 13.3 × 1 cm)

Classification Lacquer

Department Islamic Art

Credit Founders Society Purchase with funds from Mrs. Charles C. Andrews

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 1991.5

Markings

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Provenance

(Said Motamed, Frankfurt, Germany)

1991-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

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Exhibition History

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Published References

Henshaw, Julia P., ed. A Visitors Guide: The Detroit Institute of Arts. Detroit, 1995, p. 129 (ill.).

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Islamic, Iranian, Mirror Case, ca. 1875, papier-mache board, colors, gilding, and lacquer. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase with funds from Mrs. Charles C. Andrews, 1991.5.