Rare Persian 18th Century or Earlier Orsi Window

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Rare Persian 18th Century or Earlier Orsi Window

About the Item

A magnificent and important Safavid Dynasty period early stained glass Mosque Orsi window from Persia. circa 1715. Exceedingly rare, this finely detailed masterpiece work dates to around the early 18th century or possibly earlier. Exquisitely hand-crafted over 300 years ago, the exceptionally executed decorative architectural element features fine quality detail throughout. Requiring a tremendous amount of both time and skill to complete, a work such as this was reserved for only the highest level artisan, displaying pegged mortise tenon construction, adorned with a brilliant mosaic of countless delicate tesserae glass fragments connected with intricately carved wooden pieces that hold the various light and dark blue, green, orange, amber, and yellow colored glass within a sculptural wood grated lattice sash, all set within the traditional Islamic religious architecture pointed arch frame, creating this most distinctive Orsi window. In addition to serving as a stunning ornamental building element, allowing people to enjoy a colorful dance of light through this Orsi window as they were praying, it had an effective technical function in climatic and natural light control. Dimensions: (approx) 34.5" High, 33.5" Wide 2" Deep Provenance / Acquisition: Part of an impeccably curated collection from a most impressive Hamden, Connecticut private estate. Condition: Museum quality original antique condition. Excellent shape overall, especially considering its age. Nicely aged patina over the whole, losses and wear consistent with age. History: The artistic heritage of the Persians is eclectic and has included contributions from both the east and the west. Due to the central location of Iran, Persian art has served as a fusion point between eastern and western traditions. Persians have contributed to various forms of art, including calligraphy, carpet weaving, glasswork, lacquerware, marquetry (khatam), metalwork, miniature illustration, mosaic, pottery, and textile design. Although stained glass is mostly popular in churches nowadays, the earliest discovered was in Syria from the 7th century. We do have evidence of techniques and recipes for obtaining stained glass by the Persian chemist Jabir ibn Hayyan in his book Kitab al-Durra al-maknuna (The Book of the Hidden Pearl) published in the eighth century CE. Orsi windows are windows made of a mixture of wood and colorful glass in the Safavid and the Qajar dynasties. Orsi differs from stained glass used in many churches and Ottoman mosques which serve as illuminated images rather than a source of light. Light is a major feature in many mosques considering it being a major symbol of God in Islam. This is mentioned in a chapter in Quran: ″Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth" Highly desirable, interesting, and incredibly rare, this most impressive antique displays beautifully and is sure to become a focal point of any space! It also appeals to a wide range of collectors, including Islamic art, religious art, scarce architectural salvage, one-of-a-kind Middle Eastern or Western Asian artifacts, geometric arabesque sculpture, Islam, temple shrine altar table pieces, Ottoman, Farsi, Persis, Iranian ancient history, cultural decorative arts, and many more.

Dimensions:
Height: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Width: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
Style:
Islamic (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Stained Glass,Wood,Hand-Crafted,Molded,Mosaic
Place of Origin:
Iran
Period:
Early 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1715
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Museum quality original antique condition. Excellent shape overall, especially considering its age of approximately 300 years old. Nicely aged patina over the whole, losses and wear consistent with age.
Seller Location:
Forney, TX
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5977228588372