Beschreibung:

ISLAMIC SILVER-GILT PRESENTATION BOX TO COMMEMORATE THE MARRIAGE OF CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMAD REZA PAHLAVI OF PERSIA AND HER SULTANIC HIGHNESS PRINCESS FAWZIA BINT FUAD OF EGYPT Dated 29 Muharrum 1358 AH (16th March 1939 AD) A silver-gilt royal gift presentation box by Ah. Naguib Bey (of Cairo and Paris) and Huguenin (of Switzerland), in the form of a scalloped cartouche, the hinged repoussé lid with scroll ornament and an appliqué of the Persian crown and monogram initials MF affixed; stamped for Ah. Naguib Bey to base; internally inscribed in Farsi to the lid 'Qasr Abedin al-amer 29 Muharrum 1358' with hallmarks, 'HUGUENIN' mark and '0.925' to the front rim; the box containing contemporaneous Egyptian silver coins of King Farouk (father of the bride) for 2 piastres (7) and a gold Royal Wedding issue 20 piastres coin (minted 1938 AD), together with four traditional gold savaqah 'coins' (each bearing the Egyptian ibis and script hallmarks and date letter N for 1938-1939, in addition to their toughra and inscriptional designs) used in the wedding ceremony; the box in the original blue leather-covered, silk and velvet-lined case bearing a gilt appliqué of the crown to the lid; accompanied by a green velvet cased document comprising two leaves of Arabic/Persian text with hand-coloured and gilded foliate borders and a third leaf with portrait photographs of the Royal couple; with an engraved invitation to Miss (May) Ellis to the reception following the second ceremony at the Palais de Golestan on 25th April 1939, with a similar invitation to meet with the Royal couple at the British Legation, Tehran on 26th April 1939; also with twelve photographic postcards of Pharaoh Tutankhamen's tomb discoveries, purchased in Cairo at the time of the wedding; additionally with a group of five coloured postcards depicting Egyptian antiquities, posted from Cairo to Miss May Ellis in 1947. 379 grams total (box 208 grams), case 16 x 11cm (box 12.5cm wide) (6 1/4 x 4 1/2" (Box 5")). Very fine condition, the coins near uncirculated; the outer case somewhat faded to sides. Very rare example of royal jewellery, with associated items. Provenance Property of a British collector; by gift from his mother (neé Miss Christine McAffrey), 2010; gifted to her by Don Mardel in 1980; to him by descent from Miss May Elis of Guilden Sutton, Cheshire, UK, 1970. Literature Coins: KM# 365; KM# 369; KM# 370; see Bonham's Sale 15335, lot 236 for another example of the box (without the savaqah coins and other items). Footnotes This is one of a small number of such boxes, presented to important guests at the wedding; it seems that Miss May Ellis attended both ceremonies and associated receptions. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919-1980) was the eldest son of Shah Reza Pahlavi of Persia (Iran) and Tadj ol-Molouk; he married Fawzia bint Fuad (1921-2013), daughter of King Fuad I and Nazli Sabri on 16th March 1939 AD at the Abedin Palace, Cairo; a second ceremony being held at the Gulestan Palace, Tehran on 25th April; the couple attended a reception at the British legation the following day. They later divorced (Egyptian in 1945, Iranian in 1948). Mohammad Reza Pahlavi became the last Shah of Iran in 1941 before being finally ousted and fleeing the country in 1978. Part of the Muslim wedding ceremonial includes the 'Savaqah' where the bride is traditionally showered with coins; at important weddings, gold tokens were especially minted for this and the four examples that accompany this presentation box would have been collected at the ceremony. The Bonham's example sold at auction for £15,600 (including premium) in 2007. Date Thursday 12th February 2015 - Saturday 14th February 2015, Antiquities & Coin Catalogue Auction TimeLine Auctions Ltd arranges printed catalogue rostrum Auctions, eAuctions and Timed Auctions where we offer antiquities, ancient artefacts / artifacts, antiques, collectibles, coins, medals and books for public sale.