A Kashan underglaze-painted pottery vessel in the form of a musician, Persia, 12th Century

the figure holding a lute, decorated in black under a turquoise glaze with naturalistic detailing, the body adorned with ornaments and floral vines, the hair tied in two long plaits to the reverse
13.9 cm high.

The production of pottery vessels in the form of humans or animals in Kashan during the Seljuk period was an innovative development. The exact intention of these vessels, painted either in lustre or turquoise is unclear. The vessels in the form of seated musicians are believed to have simply been made as 'pleasures of the court' (see Oliver Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, London 2004, pp. 344-345).

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