Antique Persian Silvered Copper Erotic Nude Figures Dish 23cm

This striking antique silvered copper dish is a finely hand-hammered and chased example of Persian metalwork, notable for its highly detailed erotic figural decoration. Measuring approximately 23 cm in diameter, the piece presents as a shallow dish or wall plaque with a gently sloping well and broad, flat rim. A later hanging loop has been neatly soldered to the reverse, indicating that the dish has long been appreciated as a decorative object rather than for everyday table use.

The central medallion is filled with an animated scene of nude and semi‑nude figures set within a lush garden landscape. Multiple female figures are shown reclining, seated and kneeling among stylised foliage, trees and water, with smaller attendant figures and vessels in the foreground. The engraver has used a combination of hammering, chasing and fine line‑tooling to create texture in hair, drapery, foliage and ground, giving the scene a sense of depth and movement. The figures are rendered with the elongated limbs, expressive faces and rhythmic outlines typical of late‑Qajar and early‑20th‑century Persian decorative metalwork.

Encircling the cavetto is a narrow floral band, beyond which the wide outer rim carries further continuous decoration. Here, the craftsman has repeated smaller vignettes of figures among scrolling foliage, birds and fish, all worked in low relief with extremely dense background stippling. This intricate punch‑work allows the polished high points to catch the light, creating a lively contrast against the darker, matte ground. Traces of the warm copper base metal are visible where the silvering has thinned through age and handling, particularly on some of the raised figures, which adds an attractive depth of colour and confirms the traditional silver‑on‑copper construction.

The reverse of the dish is plain but clearly hand‑finished, showing the subtle irregularities and tool marks expected of a genuinely hand‑crafted piece rather than a modern pressed souvenir. The absence of modern hallmarks or factory stamps, together with the overall style of the figures and the quality of the chasing, suggests a Persian origin, most likely late 19th to early 20th century. Erotic and bath‑house scenes of this type were produced for private enjoyment and for export, often drawing on courtly literature and garden imagery, and they remain highly collectible for both their artistry and their cultural interest.

Condition is commensurate with age. The silvered surface shows scattered wear, light oxidation and small dark specks within recesses, all of which emphasise the hand‑tooled detail. There are no obvious structural splits or repairs visible in the photographs, and the rim appears true and sound. The later hanging loop to the back is secure but could be removed if the new owner prefers to display the piece flat. Overall, this dish offers a fascinating combination of decorative appeal, erotic subject matter and technically accomplished Persian metalwork, making it a strong candidate for collectors of Islamic art, Qajar‑period objects and unusual figural silvered copper wares.