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 | Bowl.
Imitation Chinese "tassel" mark in blue.
2911-1876 |
| 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 |
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| Record created | March 26, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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