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Source Description

Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”Mina’i ware scenes often depict courtly pursuits, such as feasting, fighting, or poetry and music performances. These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. Two central figures flank a central tree, one possibly a dancer performing for her audience. Four seated figures are placed around the central tableau. Geometric lattice motifs further the indoor and outdoor juxtaposition of the figures. A pseudo inscription encircles the outer body of this footed bowl.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
24462
label
Bowl with Two Figures Flanking a Tree
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
9
Source metadata
id
24462
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Bowl with Two Figures Flanking a Tree
description
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”Mina’i ware scenes often depict courtly pursuits, such as feasting, fighting, or poetry and music performances. These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. Two central figures flank a central tree, one possibly a dancer performing for her audience. Four seated figures are placed around the central tableau. Geometric lattice motifs further the indoor and outdoor juxtaposition of the figures. A pseudo inscription encircles the outer body of this footed bowl.
provenance
Henry Walters, Baltimore, [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
late 12th-early 13th century (Seljuq (?))
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
bowls (vessels)
imageCount
9
pageCount
9
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
6.6
height
15.9
dimensionsRaw
H: 2 5/8 × Diam: 6 1/4 in. (6.6 × 15.9 cm)
Source extras
med
fritware, white underglaze, black, blue, pink, red, and turquoise overglaze enamel, with traces of gilding
creator_ids
6768
collection_ids
none
exhibition_ids
none
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