Publication Date
1850
Publication Place
Iran (made) -
Subject
Woodwork
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Length: 34 cm, Height: 12.5 cm, Width: 23.5 cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
870:1-1889
Record ID
870:1-1889
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1850
Notes
The fine openwork patterning can be found on a variety of Iranian wood objects, including spoons, the handles of dervish bowls, boxes, and Qu'ran stands. Many of the Iranian wooden objects during the nineteenth century were manufactured in the large town of Abadeh, which was known for its fine wood production. This box would have been made from a variety of carving tools, the most unusual one being a file or saw, known in Persian as a marpa. The lattice work pattern would have been achieved by first drilling the pattern with a fiddle drill, before removing the remaining wood with a coarser marpa, and finally piercing the remaining wood with a very fine marpa. The process was time consuming and required both a steady and delicate hand.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Carved pearwood; varnish; glue
Parçalar
Box, Lid
Fiziksel açıklama
Light coloured wooden box (probably pear wood), rectangular in shape, with a removable lid. The four sides and the top of the lid are carved in subtle relief, with pierced open work decoration around the edges. The top of the lid depicts a snake entwined in attack against, set against a hilly and lush landscape. Rectangular panels of carved floral sprays decorate the sides. The box stands on four carved legs.
