Religion · 19th century
€ 150
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good condition. Slight age toning to margins. Printed image area clean and sharp. No tears or staining observed. Please inspect the image carefully for detail.
Persian Ornament Designs – Islamic Architectural Patterns, Plate XXI
This antique design plate presents a striking array of Persian ornamental motifs, masterfully drawn and printed in the late 19th century as part of a renowned decorative arts compendium. Identified as "Pl. XXI" and titled "PERSAN" (Persian), this sheet offers fifteen carefully arranged panels illustrating a rich variety of traditional Persian design elements, with stylistic influences from Islamic architecture and calligraphy.
The designs range from intricate arabesques and vegetal scrolls to interlaced geometric patterns, stylized floral borders, and elegant friezes. A central medallion—symmetrical and finely detailed—evokes the layout of Persian ceiling domes or manuscript illuminations, emphasizing balance and refinement. Other sections include border strips suggestive of mosaic tilework, panels with arabesque tendrils, and a few with beautiful examples of Islamic calligraphy integrated into ornamental arrangements. These were typical elements used in architecture, tile decoration, textiles, and book illustration across Persia (modern-day Iran) during the Islamic Golden Age and the Safavid era.
The subdued color palette—mostly in beige, grey, and black—was chosen to emphasize line work and form, allowing the decorative logic and mathematical precision of Islamic design to shine through. The plate was lithographed by Laugier and printed by Firmin-Didot et Cie in Paris, indicating it comes from a high-quality French publication such as *L'Ornement Polychrome* by Auguste Racinet or *Der Ornamentenschatz* by Heinrich Dolmetsch, both of which served as reference tools for architects, artists, and decorators in Europe during the 19th century.
This sheet is not only a visual celebration of Persian artistic tradition but also a historical document of how Islamic art was studied and appreciated in Western Europe during the Orientalist movement. It offers collectors, interior designers, or scholars a window into classical Islamic aesthetics—where geometry, symmetry, and calligraphy merged into a unique visual language of spiritual expression and mathematical sophistication.
Condition report:
Very good condition. Slight age toning to margins. Printed image area clean and sharp. No tears or staining observed. Please inspect the image carefully for detail.
Framing tips:
This print would look particularly refined in a simple dark wood or black frame with a warm white or ivory mat to highlight the delicate grey and beige tones. A gold-lined inner mat can add elegance while echoing Islamic luxury. Ideal for display in a study, hallway, or cultural institution.
Technique: Lithograph
Maker: Laugier (lithographer), printed by Firmin-Didot et Cie, Paris, circa 1880s.
