Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1175
Publication Place
Kashan (made) -
Subject
Figures Animals
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Height: 27.5cm, Diameter: 16.5cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
C.1954-1910
Record ID
C.1954-1910
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1175
Notes
The decoration on this ewer shows how Iranian potters used lustre only for outlines, details and backgrounds. The main motifs, such as the seated figures on this large ewer, were left in white against a lustre ground. The technique of lustre decoration on ceramics was first developed in Iraq in the 9th century. About 1170, the lustre technique was taken from Syria to the city of Kashan in Iran, where this piece was made. With this technique potters made a glazed vessel or tile with little or no decoration in the normal way. When the piece had cooled, they painted a design over the glaze in metallic compounds. The pot or tile was then fired again, this time with a restricted supply of oxygen. In these conditions, the metallic compounds broke down, and a thin deposit of copper or silver was left on the surface of the glaze. When polished, this surface layer reflected the light.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Fritware with opaque cobalt-blue glaze and lustre-painted decoration Fritware Lustre
Fiziksel açıklama
Lustre-painted jug with seated figures on body and animals running around shoulder, blue glaze under the foot.
Üretim
Formerly thought to have been made in Rayy.
Üslup
Kashan Islamic
