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

Kendi

1630-60 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Bottle painted in two shades of blue and black. A scrolling band covers the flattened rim. A diaper band marks the upper neck, while five panels with split leaves divide its lower part. Four S-stems and flowers fill the shoulder, as well as a petal border. A series of seated figures in long robes amidst flowery stems decorate the body. A pair of fighting buffaloes are depicted under the spout. Four panels divide the spout with its petal-collar lobed nozzle. No mark.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Fritware, underglaze painted in blue and black
Brief description
Kendi (drinking vessel), fritware, underglaze painted in blue and black, Iran, Safavid period, 1630-60
Physical description
Bottle painted in two shades of blue and black. A scrolling band covers the flattened rim. A diaper band marks the upper neck, while five panels with split leaves divide its lower part. Four S-stems and flowers fill the shoulder, as well as a petal border. A series of seated figures in long robes amidst flowery stems decorate the body. A pair of fighting buffaloes are depicted under the spout. Four panels divide the spout with its petal-collar lobed nozzle. No mark.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.7cm
  • Width: 18.1cm
Style
Bibliographic reference
Y. Crowe, Persia and China: Safavid Blue and White Ceramics in the Victoria & Albert Museum (1501-1738) (London: Thames and Hudson, 2002): 99, Cat. no. 115.
Collection
Accession number
900-1876

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Record createdJune 11, 2009
Record URL
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