Miniature painting - Bone, Wood - Middle East - Pahlavi dynasty

This is a miniature painting, from the Pahlavi dynasty, second half of the 20th century

The miniature painting

• Style: It belongs to the tradition of Islamic miniature painting, known for its incredible detail, vibrant colors and non-naturalistic perspective (no depth or shadows).

• Subject: The central scene shows two figures, who present a courtly encounter.

• Border ornament/Illumination: The porcelain miniature (80 by 40 mm) is surrounded by a richly decorated border in red, blue, gold and black, with repeated floral and geometric motifs. This layered frame finish is characteristic of Persian and Mughal manuscript art.

• Colors: The use of bright, saturated colors such as deep cobalt blue, red, gold and turquoise is typical of Persian painting, where pigments were traditionally derived from natural minerals.

The frame

A particularly striking feature of this work is the frame, which in itself is a work of art:

• Khatam Kari (inlay work): The wooden frame displays a complex style of inlay work, called Khatam Kari. This is a technique where intricate mosaic patterns are created with fine pieces of wood, brass (or gold-colored metal) and camel bone.

• Pattern: The pattern on the frame is highly geometric and repetitive, with small stars or floral motifs covering the surface. This technique is traditional in the crafts, especially in cities like Isfahan and Shiraz, and is often used for high-quality decorative art objects such as these photo frames.

The photos are part of the description.