Ebonised Pencil Box With Cricket Scene On The Lid

Ebonised Papier Mache Cricket Snuff Box. An early Victorian black lacquered rectangle Papier-mâché snuff box with rounded corners and with a hinged lid with hand painted cricket scen...

Novelty Cricket Snuff Box. A 19th century sycamore snuff box with a cricket monochrome transfer image on the lid. The image is of a cricket match with the players all wearing top hat...

Rare Golf / Cricket Bakelite Vesta Case. A rare Victorian vesta case, match safe with striker. The case made in the style of a book with embossed golf and...

Vintage Félix Potin Biscuit Tin With Polo Scenes. A delightful vintage French biscuit tin for Félix Potin's praline filled wafers. The front of the tin with a scene of a polo match, to the side an image of polo equipment...

Antique Persian Khatam Marquetry Qalamdan Pen Box with Hand-Painted Equestrian Miniature, Circa 1940s An exceptional Persian Khatamkari Qalamdan (pen box), handcrafted in the celebrated tradition of Khatam-kari, one of the most prestigious decorative arts of Persia. Dating to the 1940s, this elegant rectangular sliding-lid pen case is meticulously decorated with intricate geometric micro-mosaic marquetry and crowned with a finely executed hand-painted miniature depicting a royal equestrian polo match. Traditionally used by Middle Eastern Persian scribes, scholars, and government officials to store reed pens, writing instruments, and inks, the Qalamdan became an important symbol of education, refinement, and artistic patronage. This example beautifully illustrates the marriage of functionality and exceptional craftsmanship that defines Persian decorative arts. The top lid features a richly detailed miniature painting portraying mounted horsemen pursuing deer across a stylized landscape, rendered in vibrant colors with remarkable attention to detail. The sides are decorated with exquisite Khatam marquetry, an ancient Persian micro-mosaic technique composed of thousands of tiny pieces of wood, bone, and metal meticulously assembled into intricate geometric star patterns. The interior is finished in black lacquer, while the sliding cover operates smoothly, preserving the elegant proportions characteristic of traditional Persian Qalamdans. Khatamkari has been practiced in Persia for over four centuries and remains one of the country's most labor-intensive and highly respected crafts. Similar geometric inlay traditions later spread throughout India, where they became known as Sadeli mosaic, influencing Indo-Persian and Anglo-Indian decorative arts. The extraordinary precision of the geometric patterns reflects the Islamic artistic ideals of harmony, symmetry, and infinite design. Originally intended as a writing case, this versatile piece also serves beautifully today as a jewelry box, keepsake box, pencil case, or luxury desk accessory. It is equally suited for display in a library, study, or curated collection of Islamic and Middle Eastern decorative arts. Origin: Asia Date: Circa 1940s Materials: Wood, papier-mâché, hand-painted lacquer, Khatam marquetry (micro-mosaic inlay) Style: Persian / Islamic / Indo-Persian Dimensions: Length: 8 in. Width: 1.75 in. Height: 1.25 in. Condition: Very good vintage condition with light wear consistent with age and use. Beautiful original patina with finely preserved miniature painting and Khatam inlay. An outstanding example of traditional Persian craftsmanship, this museum-quality Qalamdan is highly desirable for collectors of Islamic art, Persian antiques, miniature paintings, and Khatam marquetry. Keywords: Persian Khatam box...

A fine Victorian English glove box, crafted in molded papier-mâché and finished in deep black lacquer. The rectangular form features gently rounded corners and a hinged lid. The exte...

This antique and elegant lacquered snuff box was handmade in The Netherlands. It is painted on both sides: there's the scene of the fire in Hamburg on the right so detailed to be as ...

This is a vintage Japanned pen box. A Japanese, lacquered Papier-mâché calligrapher's quill case, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930. Charming desktop pen case, ideal for col...