Lot 11
11
A KASHAN BLUE, BLACK AND WHITE POTTERY BOWL
A KASHAN BLUE, BLACK AND WHITE POTTERY BOWL
A KASHAN BLUE, BLACK AND WHITE POTTERY BOWL
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PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTION
A KASHAN BLUE, BLACK AND WHITE POTTERY BOWL

CENTRAL IRAN, EARLY 13TH CENTURY

Details
A KASHAN BLUE, BLACK AND WHITE POTTERY BOWL
CENTRAL IRAN, EARLY 13TH CENTURY
Of conical form, the white ground decorated under the glaze in black and cobalt-blue, with bands of naskh inscription alternating with bands of black vine, the exterior with waterweed motif, repaired breaks, areas of iridescence
8 1/8in. (20.5cm.) diam.
Provenance
Excavated Kashan, 1934
Engraved
Inscribed with a Persian quatrain, part deciphered: giram ki saba zulf-i tu dar tab kashad la‘l-i tu za jam …may(?) … kashad zangi-bachcha dar kinar-i gulzar-i tu chist az chah-i zanakhdan-i tu …
‘I understand that the breeze stirred your ringlets, That your ruby (lips) drew …wine(?) … from the goblet. What is that child of a black slave at the edge of your garden, He draws from the well of the dimple on your chin …’
Further Details
Some countries prohibit or restrict the purchase and/or import of Iranian-origin property. Bidders must familiarise themselves with any laws or shipping restrictions that apply to them before bidding on these lots. For example, the USA prohibits dealings in and import of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” (such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments) without an appropriate licence. Christie’s has a general OFAC licence which, subject to compliance with certain conditions, would enable a buyer to import this type of lot into the USA. If you intend to use Christie’s licence, please contact us for further information before you bid.

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Sara Plumbly
Sara Plumbly Director, Head of Department

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Lot Essay


Eight pieces of underglaze-painted Kashan pottery are known to have dates inscribed into them: they range from AH 601 / 1204 AD to AH 613 / 1216 AD. An example with similar radiating inscriptions and a conical silhouette is in the Khalili Collection (acc.no. I.CE.2137; Oliver Watson, Ceramics of Iran, London, 2020, p.302, no.153). A similar style of design was also used on other vessels - a jug, for instance, was sold in these Rooms, 27 October 2022, lot 27. For the Persian verses around the border, see Oya Pancaroglu, Perpetual Glory: Medieval Islamic Ceramics from the Harvey B. Plotnik Collection, Chicago, 2007, no.113). The quatrain in the outer border is a variant of one attributed to Abu Sa'id Abu'l-Khayr (d.1049 AD).

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