A 19TH CENTURY QAJAR GOLD AND ENAMEL AMULET BOX

A 19TH CENTURY QAJAR GOLD AND ENAMEL AMULET BOX

the small Persian octagonal box with hinged lid, with enamelling to the interior, the exterior with polychrome enamelling of a female portrait to the centre flanked by birds and flowers, with flowers around the sides and to a stylised design to the underside of the box, with two small suspension loops to the side

4.5cm wide

A very similar amulet box with bird and flower decoration can be found in the Brooklyn Museum, US, Inv. No. 86.193.

The bird and flower design featured on the present box was very popular in Iran during the Safavid period and culminating with the lacquered objects produced during the Qajar dynasty. The two small suspension loops to the sides indicate an amuletic function.