Featured in this lot are two (2) Qajar era Iznik Persian Polychromatic Earthenware Jars, circa 19th Century. Provenance: the Owen D. Mort, Jr. Collection. Owen David Mort was an American engineer who amassed an impressive collection throughout his worldwide travels. His collection has included art, artifacts and other historical items from which he has donated to museums at the University of Utah and Snite Museum of Art, the University of Notre Dame, including of Persian and Afghani artifacts. The Qajar dynasty was a Persian dynasty founded by Mohammad Khan of the Qoyunlu clan of the Turkoman Qajar tribe, a Turlic tribe descended from the Bayat tribe of the Oghuz Turks who lived variously, with other tribes, mostly live in northwestern Iran and also Azerbaijan. Through the centuries, Persian potters have responded to the demands and changes brought by political turmoil by adopting and refining newly introduced forms and blending them into their own culture. This innovative attitude has survived through time and influenced many other cultures around the world. The Islamic prohibition on using vessels made of precious metal at the table meant that a new market for luxury ceramics opened up. This allowed the pre-Islamic elites of the earlier Persian empires to produce fancy glazes such as lustreware and high-quality painted decoration. Overall, Persian pottery expanded in their use of tools and styles to improve art production. Iznik was an established centre for the production of simple earthenware pottery with an underglaze decoration when, in the last quarter of the 15th century, craftsmen in the town began to manufacture high quality pottery with a fritware body painted with cobalt blue under a colourless transparent lead glaze. These rectangular shaped handpainted Qajar Iznik Persian earthenware jars are intact, one depicting man and floral design and the other birds and floral designs. Background Persian colours on both jars are a cream tan while blues, greens and reds colour the figures and flowers. Crazing observed throughout, some chipping noted. Age-related discolouration also exhibited. Approximate measurements each are 6.75"H x 4"W x 2"D, total weight 2lb, 14oz