About this sheet
Set of 6 Persian Costume & Interior Chromolithographs by Racinet, 1888
This exceptional set of six chromolithographs originates from the celebrated publication Le Costume Historique by the French artist, designer, and historian Albert Charles Auguste Racinet, published in Paris by Firmin-Didot & Cie between 1877 and 1888. Racinet’s monumental six-volume work remains one of the most important visual studies of historical costume and ornamental culture ever produced during the 19th century, admired for both its scholarly depth and extraordinary decorative quality.
The group focuses on Persian life, costume, music, interiors, and ceremonial culture, presenting a rich visual overview of 19th-century European fascination with Persia and the broader Islamic world. The plates depict musicians, dancers, noblewomen, domestic scenes, traditional dress, smoking ceremonies, tea service, textiles, and highly decorative interiors inspired by Persian architecture and ornament.
Among the most striking compositions are scenes of Persian musicians playing traditional instruments, elegantly dressed women carrying vessels and serving tea, richly clothed figures in ceremonial costume, and an elaborate palace interior filled with carpets, tiled walls, geometric ornament, and luxurious fabrics. Together, the prints create a highly atmospheric and cohesive vision of Persian courtly and domestic life.
Racinet’s work combined historical research with extraordinary visual refinement. Drawing from Persian manuscripts, textiles, miniatures, travel accounts, decorative arts, and architectural ornament, he transformed ethnographic and historical study into highly decorative works of art. The chromolithographic process allowed for remarkable richness of color and detail, visible throughout the set in the luminous reds, turquoise blues, saffron yellows, soft greens, and intricate textile patterns.
The multilingual headings “Persia,” “Perse,” and “Persien” reflect Racinet’s international presentation style and the broad European audience for whom the publication was intended. Today, these works remain highly sought after by collectors of Orientalist art, Islamic decorative design, costume history, and 19th-century chromolithography.
As a complete group, the six plates possess exceptional decorative power and work beautifully as a unified wall installation. The combination of costume studies, musical scenes, domestic interiors, and architectural ornament gives the set strong visual rhythm and narrative cohesion, making it especially appealing for sophisticated interiors, hospitality projects, libraries, salons, or Middle Eastern-inspired spaces.
Condition: Good antique condition overall with age-related toning, light handling wear, and small edge imperfections consistent with age. Some plates show minor creasing and occasional marginal wear. Colors remain vivid and highly decorative throughout the set.
Framing tips: Particularly striking when framed uniformly in dark walnut, ebonized, or gilt frames with warm ivory museum mats. Ideal as a 2x3 salon-style arrangement. The Persian interior scene works especially well as a central focal piece within the grouping.
The prints are original antique chromolithographs, not reproductions. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The pieces are sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale.
Technique: Chromolithographs
Maker: Albert Charles Auguste Racinet, France, circa 1888
