18th Century Persian Qajar Fired Polychrome Terracotta Tile with Archer on Horseback. Antique Persian Qajar terracotta pottery, often tiles or vessels, is known for its distinctive underglaze decoration, crackled glazes, and vibrant designs, frequently featuring scenes of hunters, musicians, or floral motifs. This particular image is a popular depiction of the archer firing at a beast behind his horse, a mythological hunter pose seen throughout the ancient world in Greek, Roman, Phoenician, and Mesopotamian works and closely associated with the Sagittarius symbol of the zodiac. 

Condition: Commensurate with age. 

Size: 7 x 7 in. 

The Qajar Dynasty ruled Persia from 1789 to 1925, ushering in a period of peace that allowed for a significant boom in artistic expression and the development of a distinctive new style. This art was heavily influenced by European royal courts, particularly in the adoption of realism and oil painting for portraiture, which was popular among the noble and merchant classes. The dynasty was formally overthrown when Reza Shah was declared the new shah in 1925, but its cultural legacy, including shifts in architecture, literature, and the innovative embrace of photography, remains an important era in Iranian history.

Commensurate with age. 

All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.