Large plate

Large plate with flattened rim and low foot.
Paste: off-white.
Glaze: grayish-green.
Decoration: fluted cavetto.

(Atil, 1973) This plate represents another example of Safavid pottery which is based on Chinese celadons. It has a flattened rim with a raised edge and vertical grooving decorates the cavetto.
The ardabil collection possesses a number of Chinese celadon plates dating from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Most of these have the same rim and fluted cavetto observed on this piece; some of the Chinese wares reveal stamped and incised decorations in the center (J.A. Pope, Chinese Porcelains, pl.124).
Islamic imitations of Far Eastern celadons are extremely thick and heavy, although the color of their glaze is quite close to that found on the Chinese prototypes. In the Safavid period, blue-and-white and polychrome designs were also applied to large celadon plates which had a fluted cavetto. One remarkable piece shows a blue-and-white star in the center with the surrounding celadon field slip-painted in white, while others are either painted with white slip or enhanced with polychrome overlgaze colors (Pope, Survey, pls. 802-804; Later Islamic Pottery, pl.87B). A majority of these wares is attributed to Kirman.

Historical period(s)
Safavid period, 17th century
Medium
Stone-paste with copper-green glaze
Dimensions
H x Diam: 8.3 x 40.2 cm (3 1/4 x 15 13/16 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1973.3
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Plate

Keywords
Iran, Safavid period (1501 - 1722)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Large plate with flattened rim and low foot.
Paste: off-white.
Glaze: grayish-green.
Decoration: fluted cavetto.

(Atil, 1973) This plate represents another example of Safavid pottery which is based on Chinese celadons. It has a flattened rim with a raised edge and vertical grooving decorates the cavetto.
The ardabil collection possesses a number of Chinese celadon plates dating from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Most of these have the same rim and fluted cavetto observed on this piece; some of the Chinese wares reveal stamped and incised decorations in the center (J.A. Pope, Chinese Porcelains, pl.124).
Islamic imitations of Far Eastern celadons are extremely thick and heavy, although the color of their glaze is quite close to that found on the Chinese prototypes. In the Safavid period, blue-and-white and polychrome designs were also applied to large celadon plates which had a fluted cavetto. One remarkable piece shows a blue-and-white star in the center with the surrounding celadon field slip-painted in white, while others are either painted with white slip or enhanced with polychrome overlgaze colors (Pope, Survey, pls. 802-804; Later Islamic Pottery, pl.87B). A majority of these wares is attributed to Kirman.

Label

The monochrome green glaze of this dish is inspired by Chinese celadon ware from Longquan, imported into the Islamic world since the thirteenth century. Its earthenware body is thicker and softer than the Longquan prototype, but the colour of the galze closely resembles that of the Chinese dishes, even though it is produced by copper rather than iron. The Persian green-glazed vessels consist primarily of plates, dishes, and bowls of various sizes, used for serving food and communal eating.

Published References
  • Oriental Ceramics: The World's Great Collections. 12 vols., Tokyo. vol. 10, pl. 98.
  • Julia Murray. A Decade of Discovery: Selected Acquisitions 1970-1980. Exh. cat. Washington, 1979. cat. 94, p. 120.
  • Dr. Esin Atil. Ceramics from the World of Islam. Exh. cat. Washington, 1973. cat. 91, pp. 196-197.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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