About this artwork
This fragmented bowl combines two different luster styles in a single object. The vessel is primarily decorated in the miniature technique, so-called for its similarities to miniature or manuscript painting. The horizontal bands of the design, the checkerboard trees, and the white background are all hallmarks of this type of decoration. However, some of the figures are painted in reserve, with their forms in white and the surrounding pattern filled in around them—a feature more typical of the monumental style of luster painting.This luster bowl also contains two different bands of inscriptions. An inscription derived from knotted Kufic with dense arabesques surrounds the interior rim and repeats a single word, wealth. The other inscription lines the exterior rim of the bowl and contains the date of creation, an illegible signature, and lines from Persian poetry, which do not relate directly to the imagery of the bowl’s decoration. Some of the poetry is indecipherable, but two couplets have been identified as part of an ode written by the known Persian poet, Sana’i Ghaznavi.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 143
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Department
- Arts of Asia
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Culture
- Islamic
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Title
- Serving Bowl with Miniature Figures, Arabic Blessings, and Persian Poetry
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Place
- Iran (Object made in)
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Date
- 1186–1196
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Medium
- Lusterware, fritware with luster-painted overglaze
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Dimensions
- 14.8 × 38.5 cm (5 3/4 × 15 1/16 in.); Diam.: 38.5 cm (15 1/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Logan-Patten-Ryerson collection
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Reference Number
- 1927.414
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/34351/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
