Gilded Mina'i Ceramic

late 12th–early 13th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453

In one group of ceramics, potters combined the technique of mina'i painting with decoration in low relief, which is further highlighted by gilding, to create an even more sumptuous effect. The imagery on this bottle conveys the princely themes so characteristic of the Seljuq period: enthroned rulers, seated sphinxes, and entertainers, against raised and gilded patterns of foliate and zigzag designs. A band with a Persian inscription, also raised and gilded, divides the shoulder from the body.

Artwork Details

Title: Gilded Mina'i Ceramic
Date: late 12th–early 13th century
Geography: Attributed to Iran
Medium: Stonepaste; applied decoration, polychrome inglaze and overglaze painted and gilded on opaque monochrome glaze (mina'i)
Dimensions: H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
Diam. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Henry G. Leberthon Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. A. Wallace Chauncey, 1957
Object Number: 57.61.6
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience, Stonepaste; glazed (opaque monochrome), in-glaze- and overglaze-painted, gilded — Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience
late 12th–early 13th century

Luster Bowl with Winged Horse, Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque monochrome glaze — Luster Bowl with Winged Horse
late 12th century

Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress, Gypsum plaster; modeled, carved, polychrome-painted, gilded — Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress
12th–early 13th century

Pierced Jug with Harpies and Sphinxes, Stonepaste; openwork, underglaze-painted, glazed in transparent turquoise — Pierced Jug with Harpies and Sphinxes
dated 612 AH/1215–16 CE

Mihrab (Prayer Niche), Mosaic of polychrome-glazed cut tiles on stonepaste body; set into mortar — Mihrab (Prayer Niche)
dated 755 AH/1354–55 CE

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