Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Islamic Middle East, Room 42, The Jameel Gallery

Dish

17th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the period 1600-1700, Iranian potters created brilliantly coloured ceramics, such as this dish. The effect was often achieved with glazes of a single colour. Many of these wares have moulded or carved decoration, as on the rim of this piece.

In the 16th century, ceramic production in Iran was on a modest scale. When the capital moved to Isfahan around 1600, the production of luxury dishes and wall tiles in a wide variety of styles and techniques rapidly increased.

We cannot identify a particular centre of production of ceramic vessels. Surviving pieces illustrate the many techniques the potters used. These included underglaze painting, coloured glazes and lustre, which was revived after 1650.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Fritware with glazing
Brief description
Dark green dish with fluted edges, imitation of Chinese celadon ware, Iran, 17th century.
Physical description
Dark green dish, with fluted edges, and a deeply incised rim. This dish was probably intended to make reference to a Chinese celadon, but the bright green colour gives it away immediately as an Iranian copy. Such Safavid monochrome wares are generally dated into the 17th century, but there is little precise information on where and when and for how long they were made.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 23.6cm
  • Height: 5.5cm
Style
Gallery label
  • Jameel Gallery Safavid Ceramics and Colour Safavid potters created brilliantly coloured ceramics. The effect was often achieved with glazes of a single colour. Many of these wares have moulded or carved decoration. The most unusual appears on bottles made in the 17th century, which bear scenes of people and animals. A second technique used coloured slips, or liquid clay, under the glaze. Potters sometimes carved the slip away to reveal the white body beneath. In other cases, they added designs in white and other slips. 2-3 Green Dish and Bowl Iran 1600-1700 Moulded fritware under coloured glaze Museum nos. 488, 551-1888(Jameel Gallery)
  • Dish. Said to have been made at Susa. 488-1888.(1954-)
Summary
In the period 1600-1700, Iranian potters created brilliantly coloured ceramics, such as this dish. The effect was often achieved with glazes of a single colour. Many of these wares have moulded or carved decoration, as on the rim of this piece.

In the 16th century, ceramic production in Iran was on a modest scale. When the capital moved to Isfahan around 1600, the production of luxury dishes and wall tiles in a wide variety of styles and techniques rapidly increased.

We cannot identify a particular centre of production of ceramic vessels. Surviving pieces illustrate the many techniques the potters used. These included underglaze painting, coloured glazes and lustre, which was revived after 1650.
Bibliographic reference
Watson, Oliver, Ceramics from Islamic Lands: Kuwait National Museum: The Al-Sabah Collections; London Thames & Hudson, 2004
Collection
Accession number
488-1888

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Record createdFebruary 24, 2005
Record URL
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