Bowl with Scrolls and Fishes

Unknown

13th century · Stonepaste; underglaze painted · Islamic Art

This bowl is attributed to Kashan, Iran. The decoration, painted in black under a transparent turquoise glaze, depicts in the cavetto a large motif comprised of vegetal designs and fish, while similar vegetal elements form a band around the interior of the body. Although the underglaze technique was common on Iranian stonepaste vessels, it did not have the same wide-reaching popularity as Syrian underglaze-painted wares of the 12th and 13th centuries. The bowl came to the Museum in 1920, together with a large group of objects bequeathed from the collection of the antique dealer William Milne Grinnell. A modern label attached under the base reads, in Arabic, "[2?]5904".

Artist

Unknown

Date

13th century

Medium

Stonepaste; underglaze painted

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The Grinnell Collection, Bequest of William Milne Grinnell, 1920