Bowl, fritware with blue glaze decoration figures and landscape, Iran, 1642-1666

Large footed bowl with four scenes decorating the outside. From right to left two figures, one sitting, the other standing by pierced rocks, are attentive to a bearded kneeling figure with a hat; further a net-looking tree hovers over a pagoda towards flaming clouds; the next figure stands between two wing-like rocks; finally a Chinese house enclosing two seated figures backs onto large rocks cut in two by a coarse cloud band. The well without inner rim band is painted with two groups of paired geese, back to back, and separated by a branch. Two sets of lotuses and elongated flaming leaves with blades of grass act as divides. The subject is a simplified version of the painting outside bowl 1090-1876. A white egret stands in the centre of the bowl surrounded by rhythmical blades of grass and flowering plants. A label inside the base ring reads no. 2921. Most details are transfers from Chinese motifs.

Historical significance: This bowl exemplifies the demand from European markets in the 17th century for new shapes and sizes as well as decorative repertoires from Persian potters producing blue and white wares in the Chinese style.

Large bowls remained popular in the mid-17th century in Persia, however smaller wares were introduced to satisfy the export market. The Persian potter also intoduced new decorative themes such as scrolling leaves, reflections in lake scenes and elegantly incised surfaces, thus giving new life to the surviving repertoire of Kraak flowers, various birds, lake scenes and imibers.

Attribution note: Most details are transfers from Chinese motifs.

This is a large blue and white bowl with a stonepaste body which has been glazed and painted by Persian potters imitating Chinese porcelain. Four scenes decorate the outside; from right to left two figures, one sitting, the other standing by pierced rocks, are attentive to a bearded kneeling figure with a hat; further a net-looking tree hovers over a pagoda towards flaming clouds; the next figure stands between two wing-like rocks; finally a Chinese house enclosing two seated figures, back onto large rocks cut in two by a coarse cloud band. The inside rim is painted with two groups of paired geese, back to back and separated by a branch. A white egret stands in the centre of the bowl surrounded by rhythmical blades of grass and flowering plants. Such wares were produced in the 17th century for an increasingly demanding European export market.

2921-1876