Collections: Arts of the Islamic World: Mirror Case

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Mirror Case

This mirror case bears the allegorical signature of the renowned eighteenth-century lacquer artist ʿAli Ashraf: “After Muhammad, ʿAli is noblest.”


• Artist: 'Ali Ashraf, Iranian
• Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on papier mâché under a lacquered varnish; silvered glass
• Place Made: Iran
• Dates: AH 1165 / 1751 CE
• Dynasty: possibly Zand
• Dimensions: 5 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (14.6 x 19.1 cm)
• 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
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd Floor
• Accession Number: 88.92
• Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson in memory of her husbund
• Image: Overall, 88.92.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
'Ali Ashraf (Iranian). Mirror Case, AH 1165 / 1751 CE. 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 husbund, 88.92 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.92.jpg)
• 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.