A Magnificent Large Safavid Blue and White dish depicting Adam, Persia, 17th Century - Photo Sotheby's

of open form with a slightly sloping rim on short, large, foot, the central medallion depicting a recumbent Adam within a Chinese-style landscape of rocks and lush vegetation, surrounded by an eight bracket Kraak frame filled with alternating panels of floral design and tassels with a case of ribbons, the reverse with floral motifs and the base with pseudo-Chinese marks; 48.2cm. diam. Estimate:  25,000 - 30,000 GBP. LOT SOLD. 31,250 GBP

CATALOGUE NOTE: This large dish represents an interesting example of the adaptation by Persian potters of Kraak-ware ceramic models. Named after the Portuguese Carracks (boats) which transported these types of ceramics, kraak-ware became one of the largest Chinese exports to Europe in the sixteenth/seventeenth century. These ceramics were also widely known to Persian potters who re-interpreted their models to create their own beautiful ceramics. This particular dish features Adam without God or Eve, juxtaposed within a Chinese-style landscape of rocks and waterfalls. A discussion of similar examples of Safavid Kraak "petal panels" dishes can be found in: Y. Crowe, Persia and China: Safavid Blue and White Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1501-1738, London, 2002, pp.61-66.

Sotheby's, Arts of the Islamic World, London | 05 Oct 2011 www.sothebys.com