A Qajar lacquer papier maché penbox (qalamdan), attributed to Abu Talib al-Mudarris Persia, circa 1850-60


with rounded ends and sliding tray, the top and sides painted with cusped cartouches containing stripe motifs, on a gold-sprinkled dull orange ground, the underside with cusped cartouches containing stripe motifs in lime green, on a black ground 22 cm. long
|For a survey with several examples of the work of Abu Talib al-Mudarris, a pupil of Rajab 'Ali who flourished in the 1850s and 1860s, see N. D. Khalili, B. W. Robinson, T. Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands: Part One, London 1996, pp. 222-231, nos. 175-189. His work was characterised by what is sometimes referred to as his 'engine-turning' design, and the distinctive 'pigeon's head' cusped cartouches (for which see especially nos. 177, 178, 185 and 186). See also a penbox in the style of Abu Talib al-Mudarris, sold at Sotheby's, Arts of the Islamic World, 25th April 2002, lot 64.