A Safavid lacquer box signed 'Ali Ashraf Persia, dated AH 1163/ AD 1749-50A Safavid lacquer box signed 'Ali Ashraf Persia, dated AH 1163/ AD 1749-50of rectangular form with stepped lid, decorated in polychrome, the exterior with panels featuring cartouches containing sprays of flowers, the borders with floral motifs, the inside of the lid with a border of foliate interlace 29.4 x 19.8 x 11 cm.Inscriptions: the signature reads ze ba'd-e Muhammad 'ali ashrafast 1163, 'After Muhammad is 'Ali Ashraf 1163 (1749-50).''Ali Ashraf was a celebrated 18th Century painter of flowers and birds, with dated works between the 1720s and the 1750s. For further discussion on 'Ali Ashraf, see N. D. Khalili, B.W. Robinson and T. Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Volume XXII, Part One, London, 1996, pp. 72-74.Important Notice to BuyersSome countries e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of Iranian-origin works. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian) origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.