{"product_id":"rare-qajar-pottery-bottle-vase-with-portrait-decoration-c-1850-1880","title":"Rare Qajar Pottery Bottle Vase with Portrait Decoration, c.1850-1880","description":"An antique Eastern pottery bottle vase dating to the Qajar period, c.1850-1880. Hand-thrown on a potter's wheel from a white siliceous stonepaste (fritware) body, it represents a traditional form of Eastern ceramic production. An old chip to the footrim reveals the characteristic granular, sugary texture of the material together with a naturally developed age patina.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe vase is of elegant pear-shaped form with a long tapering neck and a transparent lead glaze displaying a richly developed network of authentic age craquelure. Like many vessels of the period, it was designed for viewing in the round. As the vase is rotated, the floral decoration gives way to the portrait of a young man, possibly a prince or nobleman of the period, creating a pleasing contrast between Eastern ornament and courtly imagery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nOne side features a bust portrait of a young nobleman with wavy hair, a mustache and a high-collared tunic. The reverse is decorated with a traditional Islamic floral composition in the Islimi tradition, incorporating large cobalt-blue blossoms, carnation buds and scrolling turquoise-green foliage. The combination of courtly portraiture and floral ornament is characteristic of Qajar taste.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe long neck is decorated with vertical cobalt-blue bands and floral scrolls. The hand-formed rim retains visible glaze pooling and slight asymmetry. Particularly noteworthy is the base and foot construction. Traces of glaze run-off and firing deposits remain visible around the footrim, providing clear evidence of traditional workshop manufacture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nA highly decorative and authentic example of Qajar pottery, combining figural and floral decoration in a form strongly associated with nineteenth-century Islamic ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDimensions:\u003cbr\u003e\nHeight: 29.2 cm\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter: 12.5 cm\u003cbr\u003e\nWeight: 776 g\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition:\u003cbr\u003e\nAge-related craquelure throughout. Small chip inside the rim. No structural restorations. Displays exceptionally well and remains a fine representative example of Qajar-period pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nPlease study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.\u003cbr\u003e\n","brand":"Gillers Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62883209380170,"sku":"B1787","price":600.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1066\/5351\/6106\/files\/il_fullxfull.8219587753_hsw9.jpg?v=1785902062","url":"https:\/\/gillersantiques.com\/products\/rare-qajar-pottery-bottle-vase-with-portrait-decoration-c-1850-1880","provider":"Gillers Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}