Jar with Lion and Landscape Elements

Unknown

first half 18th century · Stonepaste; painted under transparent glaze; brass · Islamic Art

The centuries-long popularity of Chinese ceramics in the Islamic world continued into the Safavid era in Iran, as attested by pieces like this which were inspired by the shapes and conventions of painting particular to China. Of course, the most popular types were copies of blue-and-white ware. The staid depiction of a flowering landscape in a black and gray wash on a white background is interrupted by the humorous figure of a dandelion-headed lion. The foot rim, mouth rim, and cover of this jar were made of brass or silvered copper.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half 18th century

Medium

Stonepaste; painted under transparent glaze; brass

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915