Four Qajar lacquer penboxes (qalamdan) Persia, 19th Century comprising three of typical form with rounded ends and sliding trays, decorated in polychrome and gilt; the first with raised cartouches and 'engine-turning' design; the second with a prince visiting a hermit to the top and further figural scenes to the sides; the third with birds perching on rose branches; the fourth of rectangular form with lifting lid decorated with a depiction of the young Nasr al-Din Shah Qajar with maidens flanked by European style pastoral scenes, the edges with further similar scenes, the inside of the lid with a European wedding the largest 24.7 cm. long(4) Footnotes: Provenance Private Spanish collection. The first is very similar in style to a penbox in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection signed by 'Abu Talib al-Mudarris (see N. D. Khalili, B. W. Robinson & T. Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands: Part One, London 1996, pp. 228-229, no. 185.) This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: R R For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com