Pen Box with Flowers and Birds in Grisaille Technique 1880 - 1881

Editor: This is a pen box by Fathallah Shirazi, decorated with flowers and birds in grisaille. The craftsmanship seems remarkable. What can you tell me about the materials and processes involved in making something like this? Curator: The "how" is key. Consider the artist's labor: the meticulous brushwork, the preparation of the lacquer, the sourcing of materials. These actions reflect social hierarchies and economic realities. Was this meant for trade or personal use? Editor: That's fascinating. So, the object isn't just beautiful, it’s also a record of labor and consumption? Curator: Exactly. How does the box's existence challenge our assumptions about "high art" versus functional objects? What stories do the materials tell about 19th-century Iranian artistic production? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way before. Thanks, it gives me a lot to consider! Curator: Indeed, the intersection of craft, labor, and social context is always enlightening.