Bowl
1630-60 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bowl is based on a rare Chinese export group with unidentified armorials and a latin motto on a ribbon (see 2904-1876 for a Safavid copy). The Iranian potter has introduced standing figures in the panels with scholars and attendants in Iranian costume. Similar designs, perhaps from the same commission, are found on a multi-necked vase in the collection (1082-1883), with standing figures, one holds a bottle and another a sliced watermelon. The figures may have been inspired by another rare group of contemporary Chinese jars, of about 1620-44, similarly painted with Persian and Chinese figures, one was in the collection of Queen Mary II at Kensington Palace, and another is in the British Museum (1965,0726.1).
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Fritware, underglaze painted in blue |
| Brief description | Bowl, fritware, painted in underglaze blue with figures in panels, the design after a Chinese original; Iran, 1630-50. |
| Physical description | Bowl of fritware, painted in blue with black outline under a clear glaze. On the outside three reserve-painted panels with lateral bands and pseudo-writing. Each panel contains a standing robed figure wearing a hat and holding a vertical object. By his side a small barelegged servant carries a parasol. Two vertical jewelled strings encompass the three dividing areas. These are filled with ribbon, books or lozenges, above a flower with four finials. A band of boats, trees, huts and hillocks run along the inner rim. A central medallion with the same reserve-painted figure stands alone with surrounding ribbons, jewelled strings and two bands of pseudo-writing. Imitation Chinese square mark in black. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label |
|
| Production | Register |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bowl is based on a rare Chinese export group with unidentified armorials and a latin motto on a ribbon (see 2904-1876 for a Safavid copy). The Iranian potter has introduced standing figures in the panels with scholars and attendants in Iranian costume. Similar designs, perhaps from the same commission, are found on a multi-necked vase in the collection (1082-1883), with standing figures, one holds a bottle and another a sliced watermelon. The figures may have been inspired by another rare group of contemporary Chinese jars, of about 1620-44, similarly painted with Persian and Chinese figures, one was in the collection of Queen Mary II at Kensington Palace, and another is in the British Museum (1965,0726.1). |
| Bibliographic reference | Crowe, Yolande. Persia and China: Safavid blue and white ceramics in the Victoria & Albert Museum 1501-1738. London: Thames and Hudson, 2002, cat. 63, p. 78. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 2911-1876 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 26, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
