Bidspirit auction | A COLLECTION OF SAFAVID FIGURATIVE

A COLLECTION OF SAFAVID FIGURATIVE CUERDA SECA TILE FRAGMENTS, PERSIA, 17TH CENTURY. - A collection of eleven ceramic tile fragments from a larger figurative mural, likely originally part of an architectural frieze or wall panel. The fragments are decorated using the cuerda seca (dry cord) technique, where a dark, greasy substance is used to outline designs, preventing different coloured glazes from running together during the firing process. The decorative scheme depicts a courtly or festive scene featuring figures in traditional Persian attire. One fragment shows a male figure from the neck to the waist wearing a vertically striped qaba (tunic) in shades of white, yellow, and manganese brown, secured with a yellow belt, holding a yellow vessel against a deep cobalt blue background. A large rectangular fragment depicts the lower portions of three figures from the knees down, dressed in voluminous brown trousers (sirwal) and pointed yellow slippers (babouches). Additional pieces show figures in green robes with yellow trim and a fragment depicting a large yellow fruit with green leaves. The colour palette is characteristic of Safavid architectural ceramics, featuring cobalt blue, bright yellow, turquoise green, manganese brown, and white glazes over an earthenware body.