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Bowl

13th century
Not on view
This bowl combines the most distinctive features of lusterware produced in Kashan: moon-faced figures; poetry in naskhi calligraphy; and a covering of spiral marks that fill the areas between the decorative motifs. In addition, the outermost decorative band includes medallions with all twelve signs of the Zodiac. Capricorn (al-jady, "the kid"), is depicted as a small goat in profile. Like the other Zodiac signs that are represented as animals, such as Aries and Taurus, when shown with its Planetary Lord, the personification of the planet, in this case Saturn, sits astride Capricorn.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bowl
  • Date: 13th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Kashan
  • Medium: Stonepaste; overglaze luster-painted on an opaque white glaze
  • Dimensions: H. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)
    Diam. 8 1/16 in. (20.5 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Edward C. Moore Jr. Gift, 1927
  • Object Number: 27.13.9
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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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
Bowl with Bahram Gur and Azada, Stonepaste; glazed (opaque monochrome), in-glaze- and overglaze-painted, gilded
Bowl with Bahram Gur and Azada
late 12th–early 13th century
Bowl with Deer and Phoenix Motifs, Stonepaste; blue and black painted under transparent glaze (Sultanabad ware)
Bowl with Deer and Phoenix Motifs
first half 14th century
Black and Blue Painted Bowl, Stonepaste; polychrome painted under transparent glaze
Black and Blue Painted Bowl
early 13th century

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