Bowl with Three Figures and Checkered Trees
12th-13th century
Description
On this bowl a single figure is shown seated in the middle, with two smaller figures on the sides. The hand gestures and eye contact of the trio suggest that they are engaged in a meeting; the trees between them hint that it is taking place in a garden setting. The rendering of the trio’s physiognomy and richly patterned garments is typical of luster and minai wares from Iran, as is the checkerboard foliage of the trees. The scalloped segments above and below the figural scene are filled with thick, undulating vines, defined in reserve against a gold ground. Around the inner rim runs an angular pseudo-inscription.The exterior of the bowl is decorated with double vertical lines and loose scrolls. The bowl has been put back together from several pieces, with only minor losses. Its pale-yellow luster surface has no sheen.
Dimensions
8 x 20.5 cm (3 1/8 x 8 1/16 in.)
Provenance
[Mansour Gallery, London, 1972], sold; to Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (1972-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.
Related Artworks
View MoreBronze
1st millennium BCE-1st millenium CEGraeco-RomanJizhou ware: light gray stoneware with dark brown and transparent amber glazes. From the kilns at Yonghe, Ji'an, Jiangxi province.
12th-14th centuryChineseTerracotta
Unidentified cultureJian ware: dark gray stoneware with dark brown glaze, the markings in iron oxide. From the kilns at Shuiji, Jianyang county, Fujian province.
12th-13th centuryChineseTerracotta; buff clay and traces of purple and black glaze
6th centuryGreek
Ceramic
20th centuryJapaneseTerracotta; pale yellow clay with slip
7th-6th century BCEGreekTerracotta with black gloss
5th century BCEGreekTemmoku-type ware: light gray stoneware with dark brown glaze streaked with yellow overglaze, the foot and base dressed with dark brown slip glaze; with incised signature reading "Moriyasu saku" on the base
20th centuryJapaneseSilver
17th centuryBritishGilt bronze
3rd century BCE-3rd century CEChineseTerracotta
5th century BCE