12th C. Persian Seljuk Pottery Bowl w/ Faces, TL Tested

Near East, Persia (Iran and Turkey), Kashan or Nishapur, Seljuk Empire (Seljuq), ca. 12th century CE. A gorgeous pottery bowl with a scalloped rim and molded faces around the exterior glazed with a brilliant blue. The bowl rests on the ring base, and a remarkable detail is an interlacing linear pattern molded into the unglazed base. The scalloped walls rise to the deep basin, each lobe decorated with a relief visage of a woman with a heart shaped face, high cheekbones, and almond eyes; her hair or veil falling to her chin, and a scrolling foliate pattern below. Birds and a woven knot pattern alternate above the faces, all glazed a turquoise blue, with iridescence forming throughout! These women have been interpreted as harpies or Buraq, and they exhibit the classic style of Seljuk portraiture. The walls are perforated just below the rim, and black pigments are dotted around the lip and some glaze has dripped into the creamy white basin. This type of pottery is truly exceptional and is wonderfully preserved! Size: 5.5" Diameter x 3.75" H (14 cm x 9.5 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 was used to create the black rim stripes. 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.

For a similar example of this form with a cobalt glaze, please see the Harvard Museum, object number 2002.50.95.

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.

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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.

#167302
Condition Report: Some glazing and firing imperfections, but intact and excellent. The interior basin has remains of a ring base, possibly from another piece during firing. Some fading to glaze and rainbow iridescence has formed on surfaces. Single TL hole on interior ring foot. Light earth deposits around base. Nice craquelure!