SAFAVID IRAN, LATE 17TH OR FIRST HALF 18TH CENTURY

This tile was one of a group which appeared at auction in Paris from the collection of Hayaux du Tilly (C. Boisgirard, 14 February 2002, lots 265-269). The refined palette, including the pink seen on this tile, and others of the group helps confirm a dating from the end of the Safavid period. Similarly the heavy, slightly drooping eyes, were not a feature of earlier Safavid drawing. The Louvre has a panel of three tiles which was also formerly in the Hayaux du Tilly collection and may have been from the same original (inv.MAO2025; Paris, 2008, no.158, pp.410-411). A single tile from the group was sold Christie’s, London, 15 October 2002, lot 212.