ticketsMember | Make a donation

Model of a House with Amorous Couple

12th–early 13th century
Not on view
Ceramic house models may have been wedding gifts. The erotic imagery on the rooftop of the luster house model, complemented by inscribed good wishes, relates the object to marriage. The turquoise model’s open courtyard with pierced balustrade and corner roof projections suggests a vernacular building. A festive occasion is depicted, with seated personages holding cups and a couple dancing with raised arms. The role of the turbaned, bearded man on a high stepped stool—a figure who bears the conventional traits of older, wise, educated, or religious men—remains enigmatic.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Model of a House with Amorous Couple
  • Date: 12th–early 13th century
  • Geography: Made in Iran
  • Medium: Stonepaste; molded, glazed in opaque white, luster-painted
  • Dimensions: H. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
    W. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm)
    D. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm)
    Wt. 18.7 oz. (530.2 g)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: The Grinnell Collection, Bequest of William Milne Grinnell, 1920
  • Object Number: 20.120.66
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience, Stonepaste; glazed (opaque monochrome), in-glaze- and overglaze-painted, gilded
Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience
late 12th–early 13th century
Mihrab (Prayer Niche), Mosaic of polychrome-glazed cut tiles on stonepaste body; set into mortar
Mihrab (Prayer Niche)
dated 755 AH/1354–55 CE
Luster Bowl with Winged Horse, Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque monochrome glaze
Luster Bowl with Winged Horse
late 12th century
Pierced Jug with Harpies and Sphinxes, Stonepaste; openwork, underglaze-painted, glazed in transparent turquoise
Pierced Jug with Harpies and Sphinxes
dated 612 AH/1215–16 CE
Model of a House with Festive Scene, Stonepaste; molded, modeled, glazed in transparent turquoise
Model of a House with Festive Scene
12th–early 13th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.