Bowl with Central Fish Motif

13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453
Here, the radial blue stripes are bounded by two calligraphic bands painted on the stonepaste body in black pigment. The letters, etched through the pigment to reveal the white body‑fabric below, form an illegible pseudo‑inscription that may have had associations with magic. The motif of swimming fish, frequently depicted on Chinese wares, gained popularity in Kashan ceramics. The juxtaposition of fish with magical letters reinforces the idea that the bowl had talismanic properties.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bowl with Central Fish Motif
  • Date: 13th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Kashan
  • Medium: Stonepaste; incised and polychrome painted under transparent glaze
  • Dimensions: H. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm)
    Diam. 13 3/8 in. (34 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: H.O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Horace Havemeyer, 1945
  • Object Number: 45.153.1
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Audio

Cover Image for 6692. Bowl with Central Fish Motif, Part 1

6692. Bowl with Central Fish Motif, Part 1

0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.

    Listen to more about this artwork

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.