Pierced Jug with Harpies and Sphinxes, dated 612 AH/1215–16 CE. Attributed to Iran, Kashan. Stonepaste; openwork, underglaze-painted, glazed in transparent turquoise. H. 20.8 cm; Diam. 16.8 cm; Wt. 1026.4 g. Fletcher Fund, 1932, 32.52.1. © 2000–2024 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

With a carved and pierced outer shell that surrounds a solid inner container, this intricate feat of pottery emulates a metal object. The
openwork–featuring Harpies (mythical birdwomen), Sphinxes, quadrupeds (four-footed mammals), and scrolls–was first painted with
touches of black and cobalt blue. The entire jug was then covered in a transparent turquoise glaze. The Persian verses around the rim were written by the poet Rukn al-Din Qummi, and an anonymous love poem near the base includes the date of production.