'Ali Ashraf (Iranian). Mirror Case, AH 1165 / 1751 C.E. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on papier mâché under a lacquered varnish; silvered glass, 5 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (14.6 x 19.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, 88.92. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.92_PS11.jpg)
'Ali Ashraf (Iranian). Mirror Case, AH 1165 / 1751 C.E. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on papier mâché under a lacquered varnish; silvered glass, 5 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (14.6 x 19.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, 88.92. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.92.jpg)
Mirror Case
'Ali Ashraf
Arts of the Islamic World
On View: Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor
This mirror case bears the allegorical signature of the renowned eighteenth-century lacquer artist cAli Ashraf: “After Muhammad, cAli is noblest.”
ARTIST
'Ali Ashraf, Iranian
MEDIUM
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on papier mâché under a lacquered varnish; silvered glass
DATES
AH 1165 / 1751 C.E.
DYNASTY
possibly Zand
DIMENSIONS
5 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (14.6 x 19.1 cm) (show scale)
SIGNATURE
Signed: "Zi ba'd-i Muhammad 'Ali Ashraf ast (after Muhammad is `Ali Ashraf)" - the allegorical signature of 'Ali Ashraf.
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Islamic World
ACCESSION NUMBER
88.92
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson in memory of her husband
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1988, provenance not yet documented; by 1988, acquired by Irma Bezold Wilkinson (Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson) of New York, NY; October 20, 1988, gift of Irma Bezold Wilkinson to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
This mirror case bears the allegorical signature of the renowned eighteenth-century lacquer artist `Ali Ashraf: “After Muhammad, `Ali is noblest.”
(Exhibit text, Islamic Galleries, June 2009, L. Akbarnia)
Octagonal mirror case consisting of a frame and a hinged cover with a mirror. As in most Persian lacquer, this piece is made of papier-mâché and is covered with painted designs against a black ground. The edges are decorated with minute repeated stylized leaf and flower patterns in gold on a black ground.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor
CAPTION
'Ali Ashraf (Iranian). Mirror Case, AH 1165 / 1751 C.E. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on papier mâché under a lacquered varnish; silvered glass, 5 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (14.6 x 19.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, 88.92. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.92_PS11.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 88.92_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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