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Bowl with Leopard

early 13th century
Not on view
The lion was a symbol of power, strength, and royalty. Its reigning planet is the Sun, which is shown here as a circular disk against which the whimsically spotted lion is set. The bowl was made in Kashan, in central Iran, where the technology for making luster-glazed ceramics was introduced in the early twelfth century, with the arrival of the potters from Egypt who carried the secret knowledge for creating this decorative effect.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bowl with Leopard
  • Date: early 13th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Kashan
  • Medium: Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque white glaze
  • Dimensions: H. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm)
    Diam. of rim: 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm)
    Wt. 14.9 oz. (422.5 g)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Lewis Balamuth, 1968
  • Object Number: 68.215.10
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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late 12th century
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first half 14th century
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early 13th century
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late 12th–early 13th century

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