20C Handpainted Persian Plaque in Khatam Mosaic Frame.
Lovely little hand-painted bone plaque in Persian Khatam mosaic frame. Polo scene with 3 figures in tribal dress on horseback, circa 1960.
The frame is classic Khatam mosaic.
Bone panel beautifully matted with hand painted Islamic borders.
“Khātam (Persian: خاتم) is a Persian version of marquetry, art forms made by decorating the surface of wooden articles with delicate pieces of wood, bone and metal precisely-cut geometrical shapes. Khatam is also the capital of Khatam County in Iran. Khatam kari (Persian: خاتمکاری) is the art of crafting a Khatam. Common materials used in the construction of inlaid articles are gold, silver, brass, aluminum and twisted wire.
Designing of inlaid articles is a highly elaborate process. In each cubic centimeter of inlaid work, up to approximately 250 pieces of metal, bone, ivory and different kinds of wood are laid side by side, glued together in stages, smoothed, oiled and polished. Inlaid articles in the Safavid era took on a special significance as artists created their precious artworks. Woods used include betel, walnut, cypress and pine. These works include doors and windows, mirror frames, Quran boxes, inlaid boxes, pen and penholders, lanterns and shrines”
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khatam#cite_note-Burke2010-1
20C Handpainted Persian Plaque in Khatam Mosaic Frame.
Provenance: Bought from an Antique Market in London.
Dimensions: Frame: 9.75″ wide x 7″ high. Bone Panel: 5″ wide x 2.5″ high
Condition: Very good original condition.