of typical form with rounded ends and sliding tray, with Safavid-style portrait of a standing courtesan in a landscape, a deer at her feet and signed in gold above her head, the sides decorated with portraits in gold frames and hunting scenes, the red underside with gold meandering palmette vine,21.7cm. long Provenance: Property from an Important Private Collection Najaf ‘Ali recorded works are dated between 1227 AH (1812-13 AD) and 1274 AH (1857-8 AD). For further information about Najaf ‘Ali and his circle and other examples see Khalili, Robinson and Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Part II, London, 1997, pp. 22-29. A similar qalamdan signed by Najaf 'Ali was sold at Christies, 1 May 2001, Lot 129