Dish
1208 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The verses surrounding the polo player on this dish suggest that he represents an unattainable object of desire. One poem reads:
‘It has not been my habit, where lust is concerned,
To speak of the pain in my heart to anyone.
Despite this, I wish to say one thing:
I have died for love of you! Respond to my cry for help!’
In many Islamic societies, scenes containing humans and animals were a common type of decoration in non-religious contexts. The source of this imagery was usually poetry, the most highly esteemed form of secular literature.
Luxury copies of narrative poems were often illustrated with fine paintings, and the more familiar episodes were depicted on palace walls and objects. Love lyrics accompanied portrayals of beautiful young men and women. Odes in praise of the ruler inspired enthronement scenes. The recitation of poems at court was depicted, as were princely activities such as hunting and, as here, playing polo.
‘It has not been my habit, where lust is concerned,
To speak of the pain in my heart to anyone.
Despite this, I wish to say one thing:
I have died for love of you! Respond to my cry for help!’
In many Islamic societies, scenes containing humans and animals were a common type of decoration in non-religious contexts. The source of this imagery was usually poetry, the most highly esteemed form of secular literature.
Luxury copies of narrative poems were often illustrated with fine paintings, and the more familiar episodes were depicted on palace walls and objects. Love lyrics accompanied portrayals of beautiful young men and women. Odes in praise of the ruler inspired enthronement scenes. The recitation of poems at court was depicted, as were princely activities such as hunting and, as here, playing polo.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Fritware with lustre decoration |
| Brief description | Dish with lustre-painted representation of a young polo player surrounded by amorous verses, Iran (probably Kashan), 1208. |
| Physical description | White bowl with lustre-painted figure of a polo player on a horse, surrounded by dense ornament including conch-like leaves and birds. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | amorous poetry (Persian; around outside of central composition) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support and the Byran Bequest |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The verses surrounding the polo player on this dish suggest that he represents an unattainable object of desire. One poem reads: ‘It has not been my habit, where lust is concerned, To speak of the pain in my heart to anyone. Despite this, I wish to say one thing: I have died for love of you! Respond to my cry for help!’ In many Islamic societies, scenes containing humans and animals were a common type of decoration in non-religious contexts. The source of this imagery was usually poetry, the most highly esteemed form of secular literature. Luxury copies of narrative poems were often illustrated with fine paintings, and the more familiar episodes were depicted on palace walls and objects. Love lyrics accompanied portrayals of beautiful young men and women. Odes in praise of the ruler inspired enthronement scenes. The recitation of poems at court was depicted, as were princely activities such as hunting and, as here, playing polo. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.51-1952 |
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| Record created | November 7, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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