Qajar moulded and glazed ceramic tile part of a monumental architectural panel depicting a hunting scene

Iran, possibly Tehran, c. 1850 AD

Height: 35,5 cm Width: 31,5 cm (Framed – Height: 46,5 cm Width 42 cm)

This monumental tile, dating from the mid-19th century, reflects the refined artistic repertoire of the Qajar dynasty, a period in which Persian ceramics experienced an aesthetic and technical renaissance. Possibly originating in Tehran—one of the most active centres of production during the period—the panel depicts a scene of equestrian hunting, a theme deeply rooted in Iranian court iconography since Sasanian times.

The moulded relief and vivid palette of blues, greens, whites and browns, enhanced by a transparent glaze, demonstrate the Qajar workshops' mastery of combining technique and narrative. The composition—knights dressed in colourful costumes riding horses in full motion—reflects both the visual dynamism characteristic of Qajar painting and a taste for meticulous ornamentation. In the lower band, a floral register with symmetrical and repetitive motifs adds balance and harmony to the whole, evoking the Persian tradition of integrating nature and figure on the same decorative surface.

Hunting in Persian tradition was more than just a recreational activity; it was a symbol of power, nobility and dominion over the natural order. From Safavid miniatures to Qajar murals, hunting scenes extolled the monarch's skill and courage, while also alluding to an ideal of harmony between the sovereign and his environment. This tile, designed to decorate the walls of a palace or aristocratic residence, translates that symbolic legacy into an accessible and deeply ornamental visual language.

Today, this piece represents not only a display of the technical virtuosity of Qajar art, but also a testament to the cultural continuity of Iran: a country where ceramics became a vehicle for memory, prestige and beauty.

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