Octagonal Plate

Accession Number
1957/1.87

Title
Octagonal Plate

Artist(s)
Iranian

Artist Nationality
Iranian

Object Creation Date
17th century

Medium & Support
earthenware with glaze

Dimensions
1 1/4 in. x 7 1/2 in. x 7 1/2 in. ( 3.2 cm x 19 cm x 19 cm )

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
The octagonal plate has Chinese inspired folar designs and symbols on glossy porcelain. The colors, cobalt, purple-brown and white are attributes of the Safavid period predilection for Chinese pottery styles. 

Physical Description
This is a Persian interpretation of a Chinese type which can be dated on the basis of shape--that aspect which the Near Eastern potter chose to adopt. The polygonal alteration of the rim was a late 16th century development in the Chinese tradition. The well-defined scenes and foliage of he Far Eastern model have been more impressionistically rendered and the vocabulary of vegetal forms has been drastically reduced. 

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
plate

Collection Area
Western

Rights
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Keywords
Islamic
Safavid (Iranian Islamic styles )
Safavid pottery styles
blue-and-white (ceramic glaze)
ceramic ware (visual works)
floral patterns
household objects
plates (general, dishes)
porcelain (visual works)

5 Related Resources

Arts from Persia and Iran
(Part of: Ancient and Classical Civilizations)
PAST - Family Art Studio    
(Part of: FFW Lower Level Study Cases     )
Visual Cultures of Islam - Ceramics
(Part of: Visual Cultures of Islam )
Cobalt & Blue
(Part of: Exchange and Influence on Global Trade Routes)

& Author Notes

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