A QAJAR MOULDED POTTERY TILE DEPICTING SHAH ABBAS THE GREAT
Qajar Iran, dated 1317 AH (1899 - 1900)

A QAJAR MOULDED POTTERY TILE DEPICTING SHAH ABBAS THE GREAT
Qajar Iran, dated 1317 AH (1899 - 1900)

Of rectangular shape, decorated with a moulded and polychrome-painted portrait of Shah Abbas I (r. 1588 - 1629) in the centre, portrayed with his characteristic moustache and dressed in a fine red robe with a yellow overcoat, the green turban adorned with a heavy sarpech with black heron feathers, the inscription on the right reading 'Shah 'Abbas the first, accession to the throne in the year 995 AH, his reign lasted 43 years', with the date '1317 AH' below, set within concentric bands of black rules, solid circles, and a frame with foliate scrolls in black, 20.5cm x 25cm.

Shah Abbas I was just 17 years old when he ascended to the throne and began ruling over the vast Safavid empire. He reigned from October 1588 to January 1629, when he died aged 57. This portrait, depicting him as a mature man but still youthful, was popularised in the 19th century by European engravers, who originally adapted it from murals in the Chehel Sotun Palace in Isfahan.

Dimensions: 20.5cm x 25cm