*A QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉMIRROR CASE PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION Iran, 19th century Of rectangular shape, the cover painted with three narrative images of youthful courtship with musicians, debating sages, and a sage taking wine from a maiden, the reverse with three scenes of a semi-undressed sage amid followers, a learned gathering, and an aged scholar receiving wine form a maiden, the reverse of the cover with two scenes celebrating mystical sufi male friendship, each of the narratives within gilt and floral lobed cartouches, within intricate floral borders, inscribed Ya Sadeq al Wa'd, possibly a takhallos to Mohammad Sadiq (active second half of the 18th century), 24.2cm x 15.6cm. The story of Sheikh San'an and the Christian girl, the longest tale of Attar's Mantiq al Tayr, may be the theme of this mirror case with ideas of transgression and repentance symbolised by the vanity of self-regard absolved by a return to the immaterial.