Headdress Ornament

Unknown

19th century · Enamel, gold-sheet, pearls, and semi-precious stones · Islamic Art

This turban ornament in the form of a parrot is painted with polychrome enamel (mina-kari), a vibrant art form in Iran in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Enamel-painted objects take various forms including small medallions, huqqa bases, tea sets, bowls, plates, pins, dagger hilts and sheaths, and aigrettes such as the present example. This object is notable for the refined quality of painting. The pose of the parrot with its downturned head and pearl extensions is reminiscent of jewel-studded elements from late sixteenth century Mughal India or the Deccan, making it all more interesting as an object demonstrating artistic exchange between Iran and India.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Enamel, gold-sheet, pearls, and semi-precious stones

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, 2017 NoRuz at The Met Benefit, 2018