Signed Persian Khatamkari-Style Painted Wood Panel, c. 1960s–1980s

The Piece

Signed Persian decorative wood panel, c. 1960s–1980s.
Hand-painted stylized female figure on wood with gold-painted detailing, geometric Khatamkari-style borders, natural wood grain elements, and a signed lower front.
The signature appears to be in stylized Persian script, possibly reading “Sadeghi.”

This vintage Persian wood panel features a stylized female figure rendered with elongated proportions, arched brows, almond-shaped eyes, red lips, and gold-painted jewelry details. The composition blends painted figure work with natural wood grain sections and patterned geometric bands inspired by Persian Khatamkari, the decorative marquetry tradition known for intricate repeated forms.

The panel uses a warm tan ground with green, black, red, gold, and muted gray accents. Gold dotting along the veil and jewelry gives the figure a decorative luminosity, while the geometric bands across the clothing and table introduce the rhythmic patterning associated with Persian craft traditions. The piece is signed at the lower front in a small oval-style mark, adding to its identity as a workshop or artisan-made decorative object.

Product Details

Historical Context

This piece belongs to the mid-to-late 20th-century Persian decorative arts tradition, where hand-painted wood panels, Khatamkari-inspired ornament, stylized female figures, and gold embellishment were often used in wall art, boxes, game boards, panels, and home décor objects.

Khatamkari is a Persian decorative tradition associated with intricate geometric patterning and fine inlay work. On this panel, the patterned bands appear as Khatamkari-style decorative elements, integrated into the clothing and architectural/table forms. The piece reflects the broader Persian craft aesthetic rather than a purely academic painting tradition, combining folk-modern figure work, ornamental surface design, and workshop-style production.

The stylized female figure, veil-like form, gold dotting, and geometric accents give the panel a strong visual connection to Persian decorative portraiture and mid-century export art. It is best understood as a signed vintage artisan/decorative panel rather than an attributed fine-art painting.

Condition + Updates

This piece is in vintage condition with visible age-related wear. The painted surface shows small scuffs, scratches, minor paint loss, and surface marks. The gold-painted details show some wear, especially in raised or exposed areas. The wood panel has light edge wear and surface variation consistent with age.

The signature remains visible on the lower front. The back shows typical age marks and a hanging hole. No major structural breaks are visible from the photos. The original painted surface, wood panel, geometric decoration, and signed front have been preserved.

Why This Belongs in Your Home

This panel brings warmth, pattern, and cultural texture into a room. The figure has a quiet graphic presence, while the gold details and geometric bands add depth without making the piece feel overly formal. It works especially well in interiors that mix old-world objects, collected art, brass, dark wood, textiles, books, and layered global pieces.

Hang it alone as a statement panel, lean it on a shelf, or style it with ceramics, carved wood, antique trays, and warm lighting. It has enough visual strength to stand on its own and enough patina to feel lived-in, which is merciful, because brand-new “global inspired” wall art tends to look like it was designed during a committee meeting in a beige conference room.