{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O108842"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O108842/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BG4492/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BG4492/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BG4492","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AY4408","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2015HN9693","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2015HN9694","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2015HN9695","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2015HN9696","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O108842/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O108842","accessionNumber":"504-1874","objectType":"Mirror case","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This mirror case has an enclosed portrait of Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. It is painted in the new, more realistic style that was often used for imaginary portraits of religious figures in the reign of Nasir al-Din Shah (ruled 1848–1896). \r\n\r\nHe was a member of the Qajar dynasty and also a great patron of portraiture. In his time, Iranian artists trained in Europe, where the Shah travelled on several occasions.\r\n\r\nThe Qajar dynasty reunited Iran in the 1790s and ruled until 1925. At the beginning of their reign, Iran had been isolated for many years. Soon contact with the outside world was re-established, and over time Qajar art began to reflect developments elsewhere, such as the use of photography by painters.","physicalDescription":"Steel, oblong and hinged mirror case with inlaid gold border. Interior encloses a looking glass and miniature painting depicting a seated 'Ali.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""},{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28674"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"steel","id":"AAT133751"},{"text":"gold","id":"AAT11021"}],"techniques":[{"text":"inlay","id":"AAT53850"},{"text":"painting","id":"x30598"},{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Steel hinged mirror case with inlaid gold border","categories":[{"text":"Islam","id":"THES48932"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Accessories","id":"THES48998"},{"text":"Fashion","id":"THES48957"},{"text":"Personal accessories","id":"THES48912"},{"text":"Watercolours","id":"THES277714"}],"styles":[{"text":"Qajar","id":"AAT21708"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"MES","id":"THES48607"},"images":["2006BG4492","2006AY4408","2015HN9693","2015HN9694","2015HN9695","2015HN9696"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"004","id":"THES394893"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Mirror case","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Iran","id":"x30220"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1850-1875","earliest":"1850-01-01","latest":"1875-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"26.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"17.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"0.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"dimensions when open","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This object was purchased in Tehran in 1873, by Robert Murdoch Smith on behalf of the Museum. In his first bulk acquisition for the South Kensington Museum (today the V&A), Murdoch Smith had bought \"a considerable collection\" of over 100 examples of metalwork, ceramic, inlaid woodwork and textile from different local sources, including French diplomat Emile Charles Bernay and four art-dealers: Nasrullah Dellal, Abu'l-Hassan Dellal, Abdul-Husayn and Reza Kashi of Tehran. Many further acquisitions followed in the years 1873-1878 and 1883-1885, most extensively from the private collector Jules Richard.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Steel mirror case with a portrait of Ali, Iran (probably Isfahan), 1850-75.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"J. Curtis, I. Sarikhani Sandmann and T. Stanley, Epic Iran: 5000 Years of Culture, London: V&A Publishing, 2021.","id":"AUTH397834"},"details":"Page 159, cat. 124","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"mirror glass","id":"x32916"},{"text":"pocket-mirrors","id":"AAT242537"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"2016-2018 Display: Amulets, Talismans and Fortune Telling in the Middle East \r\n\r\nMagic Mirrors:\r\nMagic mirrors were used to call upon God’s protection from misfortune or illness. They could also be used to deceive jinns (evil spirits) and people. Their magic force comes from their inscriptions, which would have reflected on to the person reciting them. It was also believed that a person could see visions of the future by looking at a magic mirror after certain rituals and prayers.\r\n\r\n25. Mirror case with portrait of Ali\r\nIran, probably Isfahan\r\n1850-75\r\nSteel and gold; paint and gold on paper; glass\r\nPainting signed by Ja’far son of Najaf Ali\r\nMuseum no. 504-1874","date":{"text":"2016-2018","earliest":"2016-01-01","latest":"2018-12-31"}},{"text":"Jameel Gallery\r\n\r\nMirror Case with Portrait of Ali\r\nIran, probably Isfahan\r\n1850-75\r\n\r\nNasir al-Din Shah (reigned 1848-96) was also a great patron of portraiture. In his time, Iranian artists trained in Europe, where the Shah travelled on several occasions. A new, more realistic style of painting developed and was often used for imaginary portraits of religious figures. This example shows Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.\r\n\r\nSteel and gold; paint and gold on paper; glass. Painting signed by Ja'far son of Najaf Ali.\r\n\r\nMuseum no. 504-1874","date":{"text":"2006-2013","earliest":"2006-01-01","latest":"2013-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["504-1874"],"accessionNumberNum":"504","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1874,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2017KC8927","2019LP4454","2019LT4000","2019LU6717","2019LW1495"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-10-20","recordCreationDate":"2005-01-27","availableToBook":true}}