Gilded Mina'i Ceramic

Unknown

late 12th–early 13th century · Stonepaste; applied decoration, polychrome inglaze and overglaze painted and gilded on opaque monochrome glaze (mina'i) · Islamic Art

In one group of ceramics, potters combined the technique of mina'i painting with decoration in low relief, which is further highlighted by gilding, to create an even more sumptuous effect. The imagery on this bottle conveys the princely themes so characteristic of the Seljuq period: enthroned rulers, seated sphinxes, and entertainers, against raised and gilded patterns of foliate and zigzag designs. A band with a Persian inscription, also raised and gilded, divides the shoulder from the body.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 12th–early 13th century

Medium

Stonepaste; applied decoration, polychrome inglaze and overglaze painted and gilded on opaque monochrome glaze (mina'i)

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Henry G. Leberthon Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. A. Wallace Chauncey, 1957