19th Century Persian Qajar Dynasty Pictorial Tile Set (12 Tiles) – Exceptionally Rare, Handmade & Hand-painted, Iran, mid-19th century

An extraordinary and highly intricate set of twelve hand-painted and hand-glazed ceramic tiles from mid-19th century Persia (modern day Iran), produced during the height of the Qajar Dynasty (1789–1925). Likely crafted in Tehran, a premier artistic center of the period, this set exemplifies the pinnacle of Persian ceramic mastery.

The composition is unusually elaborate, featuring finely rendered noble figures surrounded by richly detailed motifs, likely a representation of Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyats. Every tile is painted with meticulous precision, vivid pigments, and sophisticated shading, capturing the refined courtly elegance and storytelling traditions of Qajar Iran. Such complete sets are exceptionally scarce, making this a truly one of a kind piece for serious collectors.

Dimensions: 24” × 32” (assembled)
Material: Ceramic
Origin: Handmade in Iran
Date: Mid 19th century

About Qajar Tiles:
Qajar pictorial tiles reflect one of the most celebrated chapters in Persian decorative arts, blending traditional motifs with European-inspired realism. These tiles were often reserved for palaces, royal residences, and shrines, depicting royal portraits, literary episodes, and mythological scenes in radiant cobalt, turquoise, and ochre tones, applied using underglaze or cuerda seca techniques.

This rare 12-tile set goes beyond typical examples in both scale and artistry. It preserves the courtly ideals of beauty, power, and sophistication of 19th-century Iran while standing as a museum-worthy testament to Persian craftsmanship at its zenith.