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SIGNED 'ALI, QAJAR IRAN, DATED DHUL-HIJJA 1309 AH/JUNE-JULY 1892 AD Of pear form with a head-shaped dropper, the body finely carved, one side depicting a lion hunting a gazelle within a floral wreath, a cartouche above and below signed and dated in nasta'liq, the other side depicting a putto holding a bow and arrow within a floral wreath, a cartouche above with name of Minister Amin Sultan in nasta'liq, gold-inlaid rim engraved with flowers, gold chain and loop attached by suspension loops to each shoulder, finial deficient from lower terminal, in red fitted case 3in. (7.7cm.)
Mirza 'Ali Asghar Khan (1858 – 1907) was a prominent and influential politician of the Qajar period whose high status is reflected in his honorific titles. He was the son of Aqa Ibrahim 'Amin al-Sultan, and inherited his father’s title upon his death in 1882-3 AD, before being appointed Prime Minister in 1893 AD. Upon Naser al-Din Shah’s death, Mirza 'Ali Asghar Khan is credited with the transition of power to Muzaffar al-Din Shah, who would later confer on him the title Atabak-e ‘Azam, a title associated with the Seljuk titulatures (Calmard, 1987, pp.878-90).
The abundant carving of this flask is signed by ‘Ali. This could be the work of a carver named ‘Ali Hakkak Shirazi, who Fursat al-Dawla Shirazi notes to be a master of hardstone carving (1362 sh, p. 551).