Pair of Persian Qajar period Shiraz silver vases

The fine silver vases in this pair, which were produced in Shiraz in Persia during the Qajar period, are decorated with several silver working techniques, including repoussé (where the silver is hammered from the reverse side to create a design in low relief), chasing (where the silver is hammered on the front side, sinking the metal), and engraving (creating fine surface detail). These three techniques are used in combination to create a rich, detailed series of pictorial scenes.

Each vase features a circular foot below a waisted stem, which supports the tapering body, with each vase culminating in a flared neck. A band encompassing the foot of each, as well as the body and the neck of each vase, features repoussé and chased silver motifs of flowers, hearts, and birds. The rim of each vase is finished with a continuous band of pierced palmettes.