About this sheet
Antique Persian Woman Print, Orientalist Hand-Colored Lithograph 1852
A richly colored and highly decorative 19th-century hand-colored lithograph depicting a Persian woman reclining with a traditional hookah pipe, published circa 1852. This evocative Orientalist composition captures the fascination of European artists and publishers with Persian culture, costume, and interior life during the mid-19th century.
The elegantly posed figure is shown seated upon layered textiles and cushions, dressed in vibrant striped garments with deep crimson trousers and a striking blue jeweled headdress adorned with decorative ornaments. The long hookah pipe, luxurious fabrics, and relaxed posture create a romanticized vision of Persian courtly or domestic life as imagined through the lens of 19th-century European ethnographic illustration.
Executed in fine lithography with original hand-coloring, the print combines graceful linework with vivid yet balanced tones. The composition is especially attractive for its rich palette of blues, reds, greens, and warm neutrals, all set against a restrained background that draws attention entirely to the figure and costume details. The image possesses both historical and decorative appeal, reflecting the broader European interest in Orientalist subjects during the Victorian period.
Prints of this type were commonly issued in illustrated geographical and ethnographic publications documenting the peoples, customs, and attire of Asia and the Middle East. Today they are appreciated both as historical costume studies and as refined decorative artworks suited to eclectic, classical, or globally inspired interiors.
This piece would display beautifully in a bedroom, sitting room, study, or boutique hotel interior. It pairs particularly well with dark walnut, gilded, or Persian-inspired frames combined with warm ivory matting for a refined museum-style presentation.
Condition report: Overall in good condition with age-related toning and occasional scattered foxing consistent with age. Some light surface wear and minor edge imperfections visible at the margins. Original hand-coloring remains fresh and vibrant. Large original margins preserved.
The print is an original antique lithograph, not a reproduction. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The piece is sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale.
Technique: Original hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Dutch, circa 1852
