Publication Date
1850
Publication Place
Iran (made) -
Subject
Woodwork
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Length: 25cm, Width: 15.2 cm, Height: 17.5 cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
868:1-1889
Record ID
868:1-1889
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1850
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 Qu'ran 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; painted
Parçalar
Box, Lid
Fiziksel açıklama
A large rectangular box with sloped lid, made of wood with panels of carved openwork decoration, consisting of rows of stylised vegetal motifs, set into wooden frames painted with polychrome patterns. Along the edge of the boxâs lid is a row of circular wooden beads, painted over with dark paint. Traces of gold.
