A painted lacquer penbox (qalamdan), made for Prince Kamran Mirza, signed by Fathullah Shirazi, Persia, Qajar, 19th century

lacquered papier-maché box with rounded ends and sliding tray, including small box fitted on interior, both decorated in grisaille against a mustard yellow background with scenes of birds and butterflies on budding flowers, with gilded leafy vines in the background and calligraphic phrases, old auction labels to internal base

In good condition, very minor flake to laquer on surface and very slight chips on external surface and to internal case, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

Signed as:
'It was completed for presentation to the one of dazzling light, His exalted Excellency Na'ib al-Salatana, Amir-e Kabir – may my soul be sacrificed for him. Work of Fathullah Shirazi'

His recorded work include pen-boxes with the names Prince Hishmat al-Dawla dated 1275 AH/1858-9 AD sold at Christie's, (London, 11 June 1986); Prince Husam al-Saltanah dated 1284 AH/1887-8 AD; the Prime Minister dated 1296 AH/1878-9 AD In the Negarestan Museum in Tehran; Nasir al-Din Shah dated 1304 AH/1886-7 AD in the ex-Museum of Decorative Art in Tehran; and, also a book cover commissioned by a certain Aqa Mirza Farajullah dated 1302 AH/1884-5 AD in the Chester Beatty Library.

Other works by him are in the Khalili Collection in London and are dated between 1279 AH/1862-3 AD and 1289 AH/1872-3 AD (Khalili et al, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, vol. XXII, Part two, 1997, pp.124-131). His recorded work, which include commissioned pen-boxes for Nasir al-Din Shah and Qajar Princes and nobles are dated between 1275 AH/1858-9 AD and 1304 AH/1886-7 AD.