Covering tile depicting a gallant scene, Iran qâjâr, Tehran or Isfahan, circa 1880-90 Large siliceous ceramic tile with underglaze polychrome molded and painted decoration of a couple flanked by their attendants exchanging in an abundantly flowered landscape, with churches in the background. A frieze of foliage and birds crowns the scene. 31.4 x 35.8 cm Small glaze chips. Mounted on a Plexiglas plate. Minor blocking. A very similar tile in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. 230-1887) is attributed to the years 1865-85, and the churches depicted are described as Armenian churches in Isfahan. The subject appears to be fairly widespread, with two other tiles featuring the same iconography in the Hassan Mohazzab collection in Brussels. One is signed Safar 'Alî, while the other is dated 1311 H / 1893-94. Cf Gwenaëlle Fellinger (ed.), L'Empire des Roses, Chefs-d'œuvre de l'art persan du XIXe siècle, exhibition catalog, Lens: 2018, cat.292 and cat.293, p.305. A Qajar Pottery Tile with a Galant Encounter, Qajar Iran, Tehran or Isfahan, circa 1880-90