Publication Date
1870
Publication Place
Iran (made) -
Subject
Woodwork
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Width: 23.2 cm, Height: 10.5 cm, Length: 33.6 cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
869:1-1889
Record ID
869:1-1889
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1870
Notes
The fine openwork patterning on this box stand can be found on a variety of Iranian wood objects, including spoons, the handles of dervish bowls, and Quran stands. Many of the 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 techniques and 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; coloured foil
Parçalar
Box, Lid
Fiziksel açıklama
Rectangular shaped box with lid, carved along the sides with large panels comprising dense floral motifs, the edges of which are carved with a band of pierced openwork floral sprays, with alternating foil-backed colours (red, green and gold). The top of the lid depicts a man standing in profile against a tree stump wearing only a small cloth and belt around his waist; he clutches an axe in one hand as he points to the sky with the other.
