Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1180
Publication Place
Iran (made) -
Subject
Ceramics Lustre Ware Islam
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Diameter: 24cm, Height: 6.5cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
C.163-1977
Record ID
C.163-1977
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1180
Notes
A round-faced figure raises a toast to his companion in the charming scene at the centre of this dish. Such compositions were common at the time it was made. They reflect a culture of sociable gatherings that we can only reconstruct at a distance The decoration shows how Iranian potters used lustre only for outlines, details and backgrounds. The main motifs 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 first 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 lustre decoration Fritware Lustre-Painted
Fiziksel açıklama
Fritware dish decorated in lustre, with a pair of seated figures raising a toast to another on either side of a small tree in which sit two birds; the dish has a double border with bands of inscriptions in cursive script.
Üretim
Probably Kashan
Üslup
Seljuk
