12th C. Nishapur Glazed Pottery Lion Bowl w/ TL Test
Near East, Persia (Iran and Turkey), Nishapur, Medieval Period, ca. 1200 CE. A stunning example of a blue glazed pottery bowl that is decorated with lions! The vessel rests on a ring foot the walls flaring outward to the annular rim. The turquoise blue glaze is applied to the exterior stopping at the midsection, leaving the beige pottery exposed on the base and foot. The interior basin is low relief molded with two lions encircling the central tondo; nose to tail tip. The upper rim is dotted with black manganese pigments. The glazing has developed a silvery iridescence and fine craquelure over the ages. Size: 4.75" Diameter x 2.25" H (12.1 cm x 5.7 cm)
Nishapur was a center of politics and culture in medieval Persia, and their pottery is some of the most unique and beautiful in history. These turquoise items are the result of technological innovation at the end of the 10th century. The body of this bowl and others of its style is made of finely ground quartz mixed with clay; this created a white surface on which the artists could paint designs directly. The glaze is alkaline, with a copper base to give it its color, and would be poured over the clay. Manganese creates the black motifs along the rim. These pieces may have been inspired by the blue and white glazed pottery that travelled the Silk Road from Tang Dynasty, China, but the end result here is clearly not just an imitation, but an entirely different, radical style developed in Nishapur.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, in the USA since 1997
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#167303
Condition Report: Iridescence forming on glazing. Minor flaking of the iridescence when handled. Single TL hole on ring base interior. Mineral and earthen deposits on the surface. Nice craquelure to glazing. Intact and choice!
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Near East, Persia (Iran and Turkey), Nishapur, Medieval Period, ca. 1200 CE. A stunning example of a blue glazed pottery bowl that is decorated with lions! The vessel rests on a ring foot the walls flaring outward to the annular rim. The turquoise blue glaze is applied to the exterior stopping at the midsection, leaving the beige pottery exposed on the base and foot. The interior basin is low relief molded with two lions encircling the central tondo; nose to tail tip. The upper rim is dotted with black manganese pigments. The glazing has developed a silvery iridescence and fine craquelure over the ages. Size: 4.75" Diameter x 2.25" H (12.1 cm x 5.7 cm)
Nishapur was a center of politics and culture in medieval Persia, and their pottery is some of the most unique and beautiful in history. These turquoise items are the result of technological innovation at the end of the 10th century. The body of this bowl and others of its style is made of finely ground quartz mixed with clay; this created a white surface on which the artists could paint designs directly. The glaze is alkaline, with a copper base to give it its color, and would be poured over the clay. Manganese creates the black motifs along the rim. These pieces may have been inspired by the blue and white glazed pottery that travelled the Silk Road from Tang Dynasty, China, but the end result here is clearly not just an imitation, but an entirely different, radical style developed in Nishapur.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, in the USA since 1997
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#167303
Condition Report: Iridescence forming on glazing. Minor flaking of the iridescence when handled. Single TL hole on ring base interior. Mineral and earthen deposits on the surface. Nice craquelure to glazing. Intact and choice!
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