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Persian Qajar Bohemian Ruby Glass Lamp 19th C.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Persian Qajar Bohemian Ruby Glass Lamp 19th C.
For your consideration is this 19th Century Victorian Era Persian Nasser Al-Din Shah Qajar Ruby Red Bohemian Glass Lamp, circa 1850-1896, with a vignette portrait of Shah Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, Shah of Persia from 1848-1896, the third longest reigning monarch in Iranian history. Gold gilt, etched and faceted cut glass, and floral bead designs. The 19th century saw a growing interest in mass-produced Bohemian glass, and also the establishment of a thriving Qajar and Ottoman export market for Bohemian glass objects. In particular, the Bohemian glass industry became an important centre of production for Islamic works such as enamelled mosque lamps. Bohemian manufacturers were particularly successful in adapting their products to Near Eastern tastes, exporting a distinctive ware that was both colorful and ornate. Faceting, elaborate cutting, engraving, gilding, and painting were all appreciated, but the most popular technique was undoubtedly layered, or cased, glass, in which the outer layers were cut away in patterns to allow the contrasting colors of the inner layers to show; in Persian this technique is known as do pusta (double-skinned) or se pusta (triple-skinned), depending on the number of layers thus exposed. Standard designs included porthole and leaf, flower heads, and lozenges; some pieces were also decorated with beads of opaque enamel, which lent a jeweled effect. Painted designs included portraits of rulers and European beauties, floral bouquets, and cityscapes. This lamp is colourful and stunning in design. Featuring a double tulip motif, the upper globe features a vignette portrait of the Lion and Sun motif which is a graphic expression of the astrological configuration of the sun in the sign of Leo, although both celestial and animal figures have long and independent histories in Iranian heraldry. This image is on the opposite side of the portrait of the Shah. The lower tulip exhibits chipping along its edge, upper globe tulip mouth is broken on the side of the Lion and Sun motif. Bead loss, scratches and gold gilt fading also noted. Measures 21"H with removable upper globe, 6.5" diameter base. Collective weight 5lb 2oz.*