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Boat-Shaped Bowl with Human Head and Animals

late 11th–12th century
Not on view
This small whiteglazed bowl is in the shape of a bird with a human face. Its body is decorated with delicate reliefs: a frieze of animals running along the rim, and a medallion on each side containing a human figure. The face with its almond-shaped eyes is clearly of the Seljuk type. Its application to what appears to be the body of a bird recalls the mythological figure of the harpy, which can frequently be found in Islamic art and probably goes back to Central Asian sources.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Boat-Shaped Bowl with Human Head and Animals
  • Date: late 11th–12th century
  • Geography: Made in Iran
  • Medium: Stonepaste; molded, opaque white glaze
  • Dimensions: H. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm)
    W. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm)
    L. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
    Wt. 6.2 oz. (175.8 g)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Harry Dick Brisbane Fund, 1963
  • Object Number: 63.159.3
  • 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
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dated 755 AH/1354–55 CE
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
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Pyxis (Cylindrical Container)
late 11th–early 12th century

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