Khatami Frame With Miniature Painting of a Hunting Scene

Persian miniature painting of a hunting scene, set inside an oval frame. The hunter is riding high on his horse chasing down a gazelle.

This piece is unique for the intricate workmanship of its frame, called Khātam (Persian: خاتم) or Khatam-kari (خاتم‌کاری). This is an ancient Persian technique of inlaying and a version of marquetry where art forms are made by decorating the surface of wooden articles with delicate pieces of wood, bone and metal precisely-cut into intricate geometric patterns.

Smaller pieces result in a higher value of the artwork.

In this frame sticks of wood, brass and camel bone have been assembled in triangular beams and glued in a strict order to create the geometrical motif that you see of a six-branch star included in a hexagon. These sections have then been plated and glued on the frame before applying a lacquer finishing. An overall very intricate and elegant design and finish. Made in Isfahan, Iran.

This piece is in very good condition. There are no chipped or damaged areas on the frame.