Imitation Blue-and-White Bowl

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462

Like so many ceramics produced in Iran during the Safavid period, the style and decoration of this dish shows an attempt to emulate the highly-regarded Chinese porcelain. This is illustrated by the blue and white color scheme, as well as the distinctly Chinese imagery of pagoda structures and figures wearing local dress. Moreover, there is an imitation Chinese seal-mark on the base, which in Chinese porcelain would have indicated the dynasty and Emperor. That Iranian potters included this detail indicates the great lengths to which they went to make their wares comparable to the Chinese originals.

Imitation Blue-and-White Bowl, Stonepaste; painted in blue under transparent glaze

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Imitation Blue-and-White Bowl, Stonepaste; painted in blue under transparent glaze
Imitation Blue-and-White Bowl, Stonepaste; painted in blue under transparent glaze
Imitation Blue-and-White Bowl, Stonepaste; painted in blue under transparent glaze
Imitation Blue-and-White Bowl, Stonepaste; painted in blue under transparent glaze
Imitation Blue-and-White Bowl, Stonepaste; painted in blue under transparent glaze
Imitation Blue-and-White Bowl, Stonepaste; painted in blue under transparent glaze

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