Accession Number
1957/1.63

Title
Bowl with bird holding leaf and inscription

Artist(s)
Iranian

Artist Nationality
Iranian

Object Creation Date
12th century - 13th century

Medium & Support
fritware with overglaze lustre painting

Dimensions
2 5/8 in. x 6 1/4 in. x 6 1/4 in. ( 6.6 cm x 15.8 cm x 15.8 cm )

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
The interior of this bown has two zones of decoration: one just below the rim and the other occupying the remainder of the vessel's surface. The rim area has a series of six solid lustre circles, each surrounded by a white zone and separated from the others by a band composed of dots connected by curving lines which suggest a loose scroll decoration. The remainder of the bowl is filled with the stylized figure of a bird shown in profile and executed in reserve against a solid lustre background. The curve of the bird's body echoes the shape of the bowl creating a visual rhythm which moves clockwise from its head through its breast and upturned wing. The tip of the wing touches the end of the bird's long beak and the circular movement is continued by a leaf which hangs from the beak. Originally, the bird's feathers were indicated by a series of fine lines and embellished with dots but now only vestiges of this decoration remain. 

Physical Description
The interior of this bown has two zones of decoration: one just below the rim and the other occupying the remainder of the vessel's surface. The rim area has a series of six solid lustre circles, each surrounded by a white zone and separated from the others by a band composed of dots connected by curving lines which suggest a loose scroll decoration. The remainder of the bowl is filled with the stylized figure of a bird shown in profile and executed in reserve against a solid lustre background. The curve of the bird's body echoes the shape of the bowl creating a visual rhythm which moves clockwise from its head through its breast and upturned wing. The tip of the wing touches the end of the bird's long beak and the circular movement is continued by a leaf which hangs from the beak. Originally, the bird's feathers were indicated by a series of fine lines and embellished with dots but now only vestiges of this decoration remain. 

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
bowl

Collection Area
Western

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Arabic scripts
Fatimid
Fatimid pottery styles
Iranian Islamic pottery styles after the Mongols
Islamic (culture or style)
Kashan
birds (motifs)
bowls (vessels)