Vessels12th-13th century

Jug with Birds and Inscription Bands

late 12th-early 13th century

Description

The lower part of this jug is decorated with repeating arch-like forms enclosing long-necked birds facing left. An illegible inscription in Persian encircles the shoulder. Above this are foliate designs and roundels containing leftward-facing birds similar to the others. Used either as filler or as part of figural compositions, birds are a common motif in Iranian lusterware. The neck of the jug is decorated with two bands of illegible Kufic script separated by a band of swirling tendrils. White glaze covers the body of the vessel but ends in thick droplets short of the base. On one side of the jug the luster retains a dark red cast; elsewhere it is yellowish and, in the areas of the handle and mouth, shows considerable abrasion.

Classification

Vessels

Technique

Lusterware

Medium

Fritware painted with luster (copper and silver) over white lead alkali glaze opacified with tin

Period

Seljuk-Atabeg period

Century

12th-13th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

26.3 x 15.4 cm (10 3/8 x 6 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.

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