Anaf Arts Auction, Lyon, 9 avril 2006

Collection particulière française

The subject depicted illustrates an episode from the romance of Khosrow and Shirin, one of the most celebrated narratives of classical Persian literature, popularised in the 12th century by the poet Nizami (d. 1209) in his Khamsa. The story recounts the love of the Sasanian ruler Khosrow II for the Armenian princess Shirin, whose encounters—often staged in gardens or idyllic landscapes—nourished Persian iconography for centuries, particularly in manuscript painting and later in the decorative arts. The scene of Shirin bathing, observed by Khosrow, constitutes one of the most emblematic moments of the tale, combining veiled sensuality with a courtly ideal.

This theme, widely disseminated during the Qajar period, is here transposed onto a ceramic tile signed Ustadh ‘Abbas Kashi (ceramicist), a master craftsman active in the late 19th century. This potter must have worked within a workshop, as other nearly identical tiles are known, such as one signed Ustadh ‘Ali Muhammad, sold at Artcurial, Paris, 2 November 2021, lot 152. The display of this luxury production—particularly an example by ‘Ali Muhammad—at the Universal Expositions contributed to its great popularity in Europe. Two further tiles of this type are preserved at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. 228-1887), and at the Quai Branly Museum (inv. 70.2013.3.1).