Dish with stylized vegetal decoration. Iran, Kirman (?), second half of the 17th century.

Stonepaste, underglaze painted and colored slip decoration H. 8.2 cm; Max. Diam. 47 cm; Base Diam. 27 cm.

The decoration of this dish is organized in concentric registers. The decoration of the narrow flange, the middle register and the central medallion consists of a leaf scroll painted in underglaze cobalt blue. The middle register and the central medallion also display large flowers bearing thin petals. The remaining registers are adorned with an equally dense stylized vegetal decoration, painted in sage green and ocher slips. A series of ten cartouches painted in black slip and incised with four spirals decorate the well. We have here, relatively late in the seventeenth century, an example of a technical process that was very common in the second half of the fifteenth century. The outside is simply decorated with two delicate and graceful lotus-stems displaying a floral element seen in profile. There are three tassel pseudo-marks on the base. The dating of this new type of underglaze polychrome decoration thus becomes clearer. The last years of the prosperous reign of Shâh Abbâs II (1642-1666) would seem to be the most likely period.