Ewer
ca. 1600-1700 (made), 19th century (mounted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ceramic vessel was originally designed as a vase to display cut-flowers, having a wide neck and four spouted openings on its shoulders, now missing. The form was unique to Iranian pottery from the 12th century, which was revived in the 17th century. The idea of spouted vessels for cut-flowers was evidently exported to Europe and copied in the Netherlands at the end of the 17th century. The decoration, however, imitates Chinese blue and white porcelain.
When the object was later damaged, probably through use, it was repurposed as a ewer for serving iced water. This was achieved through the addition of metal mounts, which included a hinged cover and a double walled insert to contain iced water in the inner cavity, which was kept chilled by adding icy water through an opening at the top of the handle that fed into the surrounding cavity.
When the object was later damaged, probably through use, it was repurposed as a ewer for serving iced water. This was achieved through the addition of metal mounts, which included a hinged cover and a double walled insert to contain iced water in the inner cavity, which was kept chilled by adding icy water through an opening at the top of the handle that fed into the surrounding cavity.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Fritware with underglaze decoration and brass mount |
| Brief description | Ewer, fritware, painted in underglaze blue and black, Iran, 1600-1700; with 19th century brass mounts. |
| Physical description | Ewer of fritware, pear-shape, with an inner body for holding ice, mounted with neck and lid, handle and spout of chased brass. Painted in underglaze blue with black outline, on the body a landscape with phoenix, animals and flowers; two bands of lotus panels and scrollwork round the foot; large ruyi heads, partly covered by the brass mount, round the shoulder. Imitation Chinese square mark in black. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Ewers of this type were used for serving chilled drinks. Other ewers of this type in the V&A include 468-1874, 476-1876, 555-1878, 637-1889, C.217-1912 and C.220-1912. |
| Production | Register |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This ceramic vessel was originally designed as a vase to display cut-flowers, having a wide neck and four spouted openings on its shoulders, now missing. The form was unique to Iranian pottery from the 12th century, which was revived in the 17th century. The idea of spouted vessels for cut-flowers was evidently exported to Europe and copied in the Netherlands at the end of the 17th century. The decoration, however, imitates Chinese blue and white porcelain. When the object was later damaged, probably through use, it was repurposed as a ewer for serving iced water. This was achieved through the addition of metal mounts, which included a hinged cover and a double walled insert to contain iced water in the inner cavity, which was kept chilled by adding icy water through an opening at the top of the handle that fed into the surrounding cavity. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1123-1876 |
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| Record created | March 16, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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