Author
Muhammad Ali Ashraf
Author Original
محمد علي أشرف
Publication Date
1167 AH / 1753/54 AD
Publication Place
-
Rietberg Museum
Subject
Paper mache, opaque watercolor, varnish, mirror
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الطول: 20.9 سم، العرض: 15 سم، الارتفاع: 2.5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
2011,402
Record ID
object;EPM;sw;Mus21;10;ar
Library Location
Rietberg Museum
Date
1167 AH / 1753/54 AD
Notes
The case contains a mirror protected by a cover. At the bottom there is a pull-out compartment which originally contained various tools, including scissors. The cover bears the typical signature of Muhammad Ali Ashraf: Dhi Baadi Muhammad Ali Ashraf Ast. On the one hand, this is a commitment to the doctrine of Shiite Islam: “After Muhammad [the Prophet] Ali [Ibn Abi Talib] is the highest.” On the other hand, it can also be interpreted as an indication of the teacher-disciple relationship: “After Muhammad [Ali] came in the rank of Ali Ashraf.” Most likely this refers to Muhammad Ali (active AH 1111-1133 / AD 1700-1721), son of Muhammad Zaman (active c. 1072-1105 AH / c. 1662-1694 AD) and nephew of Haji Muhammad (active 1084-1124 AH / AD 1673-1712). For his part, Muhammad Ali Ashraf was the teacher of Muhammad Baqir (active about 1160-1204 AH / about 1750-11790 AD) and Muhammad Sadiq (active about 1163-1209 AH / about 1750-1795 AD). They are all among the most famous Persian artists of the 18th century. The artist Muhammad Zaman’s relationship with his artistic environment is evident in the decoration of the box. Where roses and nightingales appear, in Persian.kul and bulbul. Which has been a present theme in Persian love poetry for centuries and whose echoes go back to earlier eras. It is believed that this painting theme goes back to the painting of birds and flowers in Chinese art, which became known in Persia in the 15th century. In the seventeenth century, after a long interruption, it was Shafi'i Abbasi (active AH 1040-1066 / AD 1631-1656) who focused entirely on the theme of flowers and birds, drawing inspiration from both European prints and Indian models. Muhammad Zaman, his brother Ahaji Muhammad, and his sons Yusuf Muhammad and Muhammad Ali continued drawing this subject. At the hands of Muhammad Ali Ashraf and his students, this drawing subject received its final modifications and obtained its final form.
Sample Text
Axel Langer “Mirror box with tool compartment” in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;sw;Mus21;10;ar
