Persian Tulip Vase, ca. 19th Century

Persian Tulip Vase, ca. 19th Century, Beautiful earthenware vase with four holdings, squat form with raised foot, high gloss with hand painted blue and white flowers over yellow background. DIMENSIONS: 7" Diameter x 4.5" H ORIGIN: Iran CONDITION: Uneven surface as expected, crazed glaze, no noted repair or restoration, as is in excellent for age and use * We recommend handwashing using a soft wash cloth and gentle dish soap.  FACTS & HISTORY:   Originating from Persia and being called “laleh” – “Flower of God” in Persian, in spite of its expatriation and naturalisation across the world, the tulip remained faithful to its homeland, colouring its valleys for centuries, year after year, with its red blooming carpets. Deeply rooted into the local mythology and culture as a symbol of god, love and martyrdom, its symbolism remains even in modern times key to its motherland, nowadays the Republic of Iran, to the extent, where a stylised image of the tulip representing the word “Allah” has been adopted in 1979 as the national emblem of the country and is featured on the Iranian flag. In Persian folklore, the first Tulip is said to have bloomed from the blood of star crossed lovers, Farhad and Shirin, in a tale reminiscent of the infamous Romeo and Juliet’s tragic ending. There are many versions of this story, each with the same sad end, thus linking love and tulips forever.