Stand thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 137, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Stand

1600-1640 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This ornamental stand, perhaps for serving sweets or part of a cosmetic set, resembles a small table or bench, the sides are pierced with palmette motifs. The painting of a stylish young male courtier beside swaying willow trees is similar to paintings by Riza Abbasi (1565-1635). Abbasi was a leading artist of the Isfahan school, which was established after 1598.

It is one of a group of wares thought to have been produced in the Isfahan Region, and thus serving the court. However, they are not as refined as contemporary wares made at Mashhad and Kirman that closely copy Chinese originals. The Isfahan group may have been intended for the merchant classes emulating court taste.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Fritware, slab-built, pierced, underglaze painted
Brief description
Stand, fritware, slab-built miniature table with pierced sides, painted in underglaze blue and black with a seated courtier; Iran, Isfahan Region, early 17th century.
Physical description
Stand of fritware, oblong, the sides perforated, painted with a female figure kneeling among plants in black and rich blue under a clear glaze. Under the top slab is a bottle, possibly for containing henna.
Dimensions
  • Height: 4.4cm
  • Length: 12.1cm
  • Width: 7.6cm
Style
Subjects depicted
Summary
This ornamental stand, perhaps for serving sweets or part of a cosmetic set, resembles a small table or bench, the sides are pierced with palmette motifs. The painting of a stylish young male courtier beside swaying willow trees is similar to paintings by Riza Abbasi (1565-1635). Abbasi was a leading artist of the Isfahan school, which was established after 1598.

It is one of a group of wares thought to have been produced in the Isfahan Region, and thus serving the court. However, they are not as refined as contemporary wares made at Mashhad and Kirman that closely copy Chinese originals. The Isfahan group may have been intended for the merchant classes emulating court taste.
Collection
Accession number
902-1876

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Record createdMarch 12, 2009
Record URL
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