Publication Date
1850
Subject
Woodwork
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Length: 31.3 cm, Width: 19.5 cm, Height: 20.2 cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
2407:1-1876
Record ID
2407:1-1876
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 Quran 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 wood; painted
Parçalar
Cabinet, Drawer, Drawer, Drawer, Drawer, Drawer, Drawer
Fiziksel açıklama
Carved pearwood cabinet, rectangular in shape, with a drop lid opining to six sliding drawers inside. The sides and top of the cabinet are carved in an openwork pattern of repeated geometric motifs and stylised flowers, set into solid wood panels carved in a running floral motif. A fine band of painted golden-bronze flowers decorations the outer most edge of the cabinet.