Ewer
BackThis object is a Gateway object. Gateway objects are significant artefacts in the collection and are used to represent and introduce bigger subjects and themes.
Description:
Ceramic ewer. Stonepaste body, underglaze cobalt blue, transparent colourless glaze. In the shape of an Indian metal ewer. 19th century metal spout. Signed by Mahmud Mi`mar Yazdi, decorated by Zari.
Object type: | ewer |
Museum number: | 1902,0521.1 |
Culture/period: | Safavid dynasty |
Date: | 1616-1617 (AH 1027) |
Production place: | Made in: Mashhad |
Materials: | stonepaste, metal |
Technique: | underglazed |
Dimensions: | Height: 24.80 cm Diameter: 18.00 cm Width: 18.00 cm |
Inscriptions: | Inscription details: signature (aperture of handle) Inscription quoted: Inscription translation: work of Mahmud Mi'mar Yazdi Inscription: Inscription details: signature and date (under the foot) Inscription quoted: Inscription translation: the humble Zari is its decorator 1025 |
Location: | 50 |
Exhibition history: | Exhibited: 2009 19 Feb-14 Jun, BM, Round Reading Room, 'Shah 'Abbas: The Remaking of Iran' 2012 Sep – 2013 Apr, BM G91, ‘Ritual and revelry: the art of drinking in Asia' |
Acquisition names: | Purchased from: George R Harding |
Acquisition date: | 1902 |
Curator's comments:
This ewer combines Iranian taste for Chinese blue-and-white porcelain with elements of Indian metalwork, suggested by the pointed bulbous body, splayed foot and high handle. The vessel’s panelled decoration reveals inspiration from contemporary Chinese export wares known as ‘Kraak porcelain’ because of their popularity in the Netherlands. It is signed: ‘work of Mahmud Mi’mar Yazdi’ on the handle and ‘the humble Zari is its decorator 1025’ under the foot. The spout is a 19th century addition.
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