Tile with a Prince on Horseback in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, September 2019

Tile with an Image of a Prince on Horseback

Object Details

Title: Tile with an Image of a Prince on Horseback

Date: second half 19th century

Geography: Country of Origin Iran

Medium: Stonepaste; molded, polychrome painted under transparent glaze

Dimensions: H. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm)
W. 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm)
D.
Wt.

Classification: Ceramics-Tiles

Credit Line: Bequest of George White Thorne, 1883

Accession Number: 83.1.67


Mainly produced in Tehran, the Qajar capital, continuous friezes of rectangular underglaze-painted tiles, such as this example, were common in nineteenth-century architecture. Here, a young man on horseback is depicted with his hand extended toward Huma, the fabulous bird, the embodiment of health and strength, hovering over his head. Only royalty fell under the shadow of Huma, suggesting that the horseman depicted here is a prince.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/443101