Photos and details come from a third-party Etsy listing, shown here as an illustrative example. CraftPersia has not inspected the object or verified the seller's claims, and the listing may have changed or ended since it was viewed.
Antique Persian Lacquered Qalamdan (Pen box) Handpainted with Flowers & Vines
This is an exquisite, antique Persian lacquered qalamdan (pen box) from the early 19th century, decorated with finely handpainted leaves and vines. The box features a scene of two birds, making it an attractive collector's item or gift.
- Craft
- Persian lacquer painting
- Region
- Isfahan
- Technique
- —
- Materials
- wood, lacquer
- Dimensions
- Length: 21 cm, Height: 4 cm, Depth: 7 cm
- Weight
- Not stated
- Date
- Listing viewed 24 Sep 2026
Condition
As described by the seller; not inspected by CraftPersia.
Provenance
Seller's own description on Etsy; origin and maker not verified.
Documentation
None reviewed.
This is illustrative sample documentation, not evidence for the pictured object. No seller or object claim has been independently verified. The archive does not certify authenticity.
Care
Follow the preservation guidance in the Persian lacquer painting entry: light, humidity and physical support matter more than cleaning.
About Persian lacquer painting
Definition
Persian lacquer painting decorates small objects, most often pen boxes, mirror backs, jewellery boxes and book covers, formed from papier-mâché or thin wood, with painted scenes or floral ornament and then protected by successive coats of clear varnish that give the surface its characteristic glossy depth.
The painting itself draws heavily on the conventions of Persian miniature painting, including fine figural and courtly scenes, alongside a strong tradition of gol-o-morgh, flower-and-bird compositions, particularly on mirror cases and smaller decorative objects.
History
Painted and lacquered small objects are documented in Iran from the Safavid period, when pen boxes and bookbindings were decorated with fine miniature painting under a protective varnish, connecting the craft closely to the book arts and to miniature painting workshops of the period. Production expanded in the Qajar period, when lacquered pen boxes, mirror cases and larger decorative panels became popular among a wider range of patrons, and painters developed distinct regional styles.
Through the twentieth century, lacquer painting continued as a specialist craft, with some workshops maintaining fine miniature-style painting on traditional forms while a broader market developed for simpler floral-decorated boxes aimed at general buyers, a divide that persists in the range of quality found in the craft today.
Materials
The object base is typically papier-mâché, built up from layered paper and glue over a mould and sanded smooth, though wood is also used for some forms. A ground layer, fine painting in gouache or similar media, and multiple coats of clear lacquer varnish complete the object, with polishing between coats to build up a smooth, glassy finish.
- Papier-mâché or wood base, shaped and sanded
- A prepared ground layer to take fine painted detail
- Gouache or comparable fine painting media for the design
- Multiple coats of clear varnish, polished between applications
General background on the craft, not a statement about any individual object; dates and attributions summarise common positions in the literature and remain under review. Read the full Persian lacquer painting entry.
Checklist before buying Persian lacquer painting
Inspect
- Persian lacquer painting is painted on papier-mâché or wood and sealed under layers of varnish; look for depth in the varnish and brushwork beneath it.
- Printed paper transfers under varnish show a dot pattern under magnification and no brush texture.
- Check corners, hinges and edges for cracks, lifting varnish and old repairs.
Red flags
- Printed transfers sold as hand-painted lacquer.
- Plastic or resin boxes sold as papier-mâché.
- Undocumented 'Qajar' attributions on new pieces.
Ask the seller
- What is the base: papier-mâché or wood?
- Was the decoration painted by hand?
- Who painted it, and is it signed?