Bowl with Leopard

Unknown

early 13th century · Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque white glaze · Islamic Art

The lion was a symbol of power, strength, and royalty. Its reigning planet is the Sun, which is shown here as a circular disk against which the whimsically spotted lion is set. The bowl was made in Kashan, in central Iran, where the technology for making luster-glazed ceramics was introduced in the early twelfth century, with the arrival of the potters from Egypt who carried the secret knowledge for creating this decorative effect.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 13th century

Medium

Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque white glaze

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Lewis Balamuth, 1968