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The ceramic industry at Kashan dates back to the
10th century. Its heyday is seen with the
beautiful lustre wares that are produced between
the end of the 12th century and the beginning of
the 14th century. There seem to be very little
impact on the industry from the devastating
Mongol invasions of the 13th century.
This vase is in the ‘Miniature’ style. The term
indicates a manner of depiction that is painted
directly in lustrous pigment on to the glaze. The
technique of a large central figure, seen
previously in the ‘Monumental’ style is replaced
by a surface divided into a number of friezes and
zones. The general aspect of this style is that the
vessels begin to be more finely potted and the
motifs finely drawn.
The subjects of these vessels are usually limited,
and mostly horsemen and seated figures are
depicted. Sixteen medallions all depicting a
human on a griffin decorate the entire vase.
These are reserved in white on lustre ground ad
the details are rendered in lustre. The medallions
are separated by circular motifs, running across
the entire body of the vessel. The short neck of
the vase is decorated with vegetal motifs. The
‘Miniature’ style was believed to have probably
been developed primarily for mina’i, as it works
well with polychrome. It has very similar types of
motifs to the early mina’i bowls, which date back
to the 10th century.
- (GD.006R)
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