Fragment of a Mina'i Bowl
This fragment is overglaze-painted with an enthroned figure surrounded by attendants or companions with typical moon-shaped faces (mahruy) that were favored during this period. The painting technique, now called mina’i but historically referred to as haft rang (seven color), was a distinctive Iranian tradition employed on stonepaste, possibly transposed from glass enameling. Mina’i painted wares, however, share some stylistic features with coeval Syrian stonepaste vessels, including the moon-shaped faces of figures, that exemplify how a common visual language was adapted to and modified by local techniques, traditions, and tastes.
The fragment came to the Museum in 1920, together with a large group of objects bequeathed from the collection of the antique dealer William Milne Grinnell.
The fragment came to the Museum in 1920, together with a large group of objects bequeathed from the collection of the antique dealer William Milne Grinnell.
Artwork Details
- Title: Fragment of a Mina'i Bowl
- Date: 12th–13th century
- Geography: Attributed to Iran, Rayy
- Medium: Stonepaste; overglaze painted (mina'i)
- Classification: Ceramics
- Credit Line: The Grinnell Collection, Bequest of William Milne Grinnell, 1920
- Object Number: 20.120.131
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
second half 12th century
late 12th–early 13th century
late 12th century
dated 755 AH/1354–55 CE
dated 612 AH/1215–16 CE
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.