Bowl Depicting King Zahhak with Snakes Protruding from His Shoulders
The bowl portrays the legendary king Zahhak with two snakes protruding from his shoulders. Although the object was believed to be medieval, recent thermoluminescence analysis proved that it was fired shortly before its exhibition at Philadelphia’s Sesquicentennial International Exposition in 1926. Plain medieval pieces were sometimes recut with new designs with more market appeal, reglazed, and refired.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bowl Depicting King Zahhak with Snakes Protruding from His Shoulders
- Date: 12th–13th century, with alterations first half 20th century; or 20th century
- Geography: Attributed to Northwestern Iran, Garrus District
- Medium: Earthenware; slipped and carved under a transparent colorless, brown, and green glaze
- Dimensions: H. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm)
Diam. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm) - Classification: Ceramics
- Credit Line: Gift of Fahim Joseph Kouchakji, 1964
- Object Number: 64.274.3
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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