Harpy

The plate stands on a low broad foot; its walls curve gently up to their midpoint where they turn out to form a flat broad section that extends at an angle to the rim. On the inner surface of the plate, the center is decorated with a human-headed brid surrounded by floral elements; around the center, the surface is divided into seven panels each of which contains a simple flower form. Blue and purple were used on top of a white background. The outer surface surrounding the foot is decorated with two annular lines and individual abstract linear forms which are blue in color.

Historical period(s)
Safavid period, 17th century
Medium
Stone-paste painted under glaze
Dimensions
H x Diam (overall): 6 x 32 cm (2 3/8 x 12 5/8 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Bequest of Adrienne Minassian
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1997.64
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Plate

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

The plate stands on a low broad foot; its walls curve gently up to their midpoint where they turn out to form a flat broad section that extends at an angle to the rim. On the inner surface of the plate, the center is decorated with a human-headed brid surrounded by floral elements; around the center, the surface is divided into seven panels each of which contains a simple flower form. Blue and purple were used on top of a white background. The outer surface surrounding the foot is decorated with two annular lines and individual abstract linear forms which are blue in color.

Published References
  • Thomas Lawton, Thomas W. Lentz. Beyond the Legacy: Anniversary Acquisitions for the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. vol. 1 Washington, 1998. pp. 138-143.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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