A group of Qajar erotic playing cards
Persia, circa 1850-60papier-mache board, in five different sets, a quantity depicting a man and a woman in an erotic embrace set within an oval frame of gild scrollwork; a figure on horseback and his groom; lions mating; in fitted case
6 x 4 cm.(25)FootnotesExamples of both erotic scenes between a man and a woman are in the Khalili Collections, London. Erotic playing cards may have been used in 'gentlemanly' circles, but they clearly acquired a secondary use as independent erotica as shown by one example which is mounted as an album. (see N. Khalili, B.W. Robinson, T. Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Part Two, Oxford University Press, 1997, cat nos. 321 and 327).
Important Notice to Buyers
Some countries, e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of works of particular origins. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian) and Syrian origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid on or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.
A group of Qajar erotic playing cards
Persia, circa 1850-60papier-mache board, in five different sets, a quantity depicting a man and a woman in an erotic embrace set within an oval frame of gild scrollwork; a figure on horseback and his groom; lions mating; in fitted case
6 x 4 cm.(25)FootnotesExamples of both erotic scenes between a man and a woman are in the Khalili Collections, London. Erotic playing cards may have been used in 'gentlemanly' circles, but they clearly acquired a secondary use as independent erotica as shown by one example which is mounted as an album. (see N. Khalili, B.W. Robinson, T. Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Part Two, Oxford University Press, 1997, cat nos. 321 and 327).
Important Notice to Buyers
Some countries, e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of works of particular origins. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian) and Syrian origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid on or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
