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Bowl with a Majlis Scene by a Pond

dated 582 AH/1186 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453
During the nearly forty years he was active as a master potter, Abu Zayd was also a proficient poet. He composed at least one of the love poems inscribed on this bowl. The scene depicted, probably a literary majlis, does not relate explicitly to any of these poems. However, the performer to the left may be interpreted as reciting them to the figures seated on and around the raised platform.

Oh beloved, did you see what the snow (white hair) did to me? / Oh snow (white hair), you told me, but tell my beloved // To the passion (fire) of lovers . . . and cold(?) / And you are still flirting with me! // Oh body, the sorrow of love will not make you any better (than this) / Will not (help) . . . your soul and faith // At the end, the sweetness of lust will entrap you / So that love will not make a fool of you.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bowl with a Majlis Scene by a Pond
  • Maker: Abu Zayd al-Kashani (Iranian)
  • Date: dated 582 AH/1186 CE
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Stonepaste; glazed in opaque turquoise, polychrome in-glaze- and overglaze- painted
  • Dimensions: H. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm)
    Diam. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
    Wt. 15.2 oz. (431 g)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1964
  • Object Number: 64.178.1
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Bowl, Abu Zayd al-Kashani Iranian, Stonepaste; polychrome inglaze and overglaze painted on opaque monochrome glaze (mina'i)
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dated 583 AH/1187 CE
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late 12th–early 13th century
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late 12th 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
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