Antique Persian Qajar Moulded Figural Tile – Musician, Birds & Garden Scene – c.1880–1910

Details

A striking antique Persian polychrome ceramic tile, believed to date from the late Qajar period, approximately 1880–1910.

This substantial tile is moulded in pronounced relief and decorated in a beautiful traditional palette of cobalt and turquoise blue, green, manganese, soft pink and yellow beneath a transparent glaze.

The scene depicts an elegant courtly garden entertainment, with a standing musician playing a traditional Persian stringed instrument before a seated companion, surrounded by flowering plants and a remarkable group of colourful birds.

The combination of music, garden, flowers, birds and courtly leisure is characteristic of the bazm tradition – scenes of entertainment, music and celebration that were popular subjects in Qajar-period decorative arts.

Unlike a simply painted decorative tile, the figures and principal elements of this piece are strongly moulded in relief. The modelling of the musician, clothing and central composition can be clearly seen in the side-view photographs.

The tile has a substantial pale ceramic body with an irregular, hand-finished reverse and edges. The front is framed by a narrow blue border surrounding a cream-white ground with extensive natural glaze crazing.

Based on its construction, moulded decoration, colour palette and comparison with documented examples, the tile appears consistent with late Qajar-period Persian architectural ceramics, probably late 19th to early 20th century. The precise workshop and date have not been established, and the attribution should therefore be regarded as provisional.

Condition:
A genuine antique object showing considerable evidence of age and former use. There is extensive natural crazing to the glaze, areas of staining within the crazing, surface wear, small chips and edge losses, and areas of glaze deterioration/loss, particularly around the musician. Please study the detailed photographs, which form an important part of the description.

The unglazed reverse shows the substantial ceramic body, irregularities and traces consistent with age and possible former architectural use.

A particularly decorative and unusual piece for a collection of Persian art, Qajar art, antique tiles or architectural decoration.

Period: Late Qajar
Estimated date: c.1880–1910
Material: Ceramic/pottery
Technique: Moulded relief with polychrome decoration beneath a transparent glaze
Subject: Musician, seated companion, birds and flowering garden
Attribution: Persian, Qajar tradition; exact workshop unconfirmed
Condition: Antique condition with crazing, wear, staining, glaze losses and edge imperfections as shown