Jug with bands of figural decoration, Iran (probably Kashan), 1180-1220.

White fritware jug with colours in and enamels over the opaque glaze. The main decoration is two rows of seated figures flanking a larger band of horsemen on the jug's shoulder.

Given by Mr C. N. Ades MBE in memory of his wife Andrée Ades

This vessel was part of a hoard that was deliberately buried by its owner, probably a merchant who lived in Jurjan in north-east Iran, or who was passing through the city. In 1220, Jurjan was threatened by a Mongol invasion. The merchant packed the vessels in sand inside large storage jars and buried them for safekeeping. Soon afterwards, Jurjan was completely destroyed by the Mongols, and the owner never returned to recover the hoard.As a result, the vessels in this hoard survived together for almost 800 years, and in relatively good condition.The probable date of their burial also gives us a good indication of when the vessels in the hoard were made, as well as showing the wide variety of types of decoration that were used to make Iranian pottery at this time.

Clement Ades gave a large number of objects found in the Jurjan hoard to the Victoria and Albert Museum at different times. Their object numbers are C.152 to 171-1977, and C.35 to 49-1978.

This jug is an example of the fine fritwares produced by potters in Kashan and other centres in Iran in the 12th and early 13th centuries. They used an astonishing range of styles. Here the Kashan potter has painted enamel colours over the glaze. This has allowed the decorator to use a multi-coloured design similar to that used in book illustrations and wall paintings of the period. The multi-colour decoration on this jug shows a band of horsemen set between two rows of seated people.

Fritware, also called stone paste and quartz paste, was developed by Middle Eastern potters as a response to the challenge posed by Chinese porcelain. Unlike high-fired Chinese porcelain, low-fired fritware was soft and porous, but like porcelain it was white all the way through and could be used to make convincing substitutes.

C.171-1977