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Return to Examination and Conservation of Mina'i Ceramics

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Natural light image of Bowl (13.93.1)

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UV reflectance image of Bowl (13.93.1) in which the dark areas of the original surface contrasts with the fluorescing overpaint

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Radiograph of Bowl (13.93.1) which reveals the that section in the center of the bowl has a different opacity and a slightly serrated edge indicating that originally it was part of another bowl and was cut to fit into a large loss in this vessel.

Digitally altered view of Bowl (13.93.1)

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Digitally altered view of Bowl (13.93.1) with the modern restorations removed.

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Six views of Bowl (12.206.1) showing clockwise from upper left: view in natural light; image indicating how much restoration paint exceeds areas of loss outlined in red; UV reflectance photo; bowl with restoration digitally removed, image with loss filled and repainted with background color; radiograph. It was decided not to remove the old restorations. This object is not on view.

Before treatment image of Bowl (57.36.5)

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Before treatment image of Bowl (57.36.5) with extensive and discolored restoration paint.

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UV reflectance photo of Bowl (57.36.5) showing restoration paint fluorescing light blue.

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Radiograph of Bowl (57.36.5) indicating that the areas of loss are rather minor.

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Bowl (57.36.5) after treatment with losses painted to match overall glaze and framing motifs restored. This bowl is on view in Gallery 453.

Before treatment image of Jar (17.120.183)

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Before treatment image of Jar (17.120.183)

UV reflectance image of Jar (17.120.183)

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UV reflectance image of Jar (17.120.183) showing extensive areas of modern paint fluorescing brightly.

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Radiograph of Jar (17.120.183) revealing pins used to affix the left handle, which was not original to this vessel

After treatment image of Jar (17.120.183)

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After treatment image of Jar (17.120.183) with extraneous handle removed for separate storage and plaster fills painted to match overall glaze. This jar is in storage.

First side view of Ewer (17.120.44) in natural and UV light

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First side view of Ewer (17.120.44) in natural and UV light indicating areas of fluorescing restoration paint. These restorations were not removed before this ewer was placed on view in Gallery 453.

Second side view of Ewer (17.120.44) in natural and UV light

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Second side view of Ewer (17.120.44) in natural and UV light indicating areas of fluorescing restoration paint. These restorations were not removed before this ewer was placed on view in Gallery 453.

Third side view of Ewer (17.120.44) in natural and UV light

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Third side view of Ewer (17.120.44) in natural and UV light indicating areas of fluorescing restoration paint. These restorations were not removed before this ewer was placed on view in Gallery 453.

Fourth side view of Ewer (17.120.44) in natural and UV light

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Fourth side view of Ewer (17.120.44) in natural and UV light indicating areas of fluorescing restoration paint. These restorations were not removed before this ewer was placed on view in Gallery 453.

Featured Objects

Slides 1–4

Bowl. Seljuq period (1040–1196), 12th–13th century. Attributed to Rayy, Iran. Stonepaste; polychrome in-glaze and overglaze painted and gilded on an opaque white glaze (mina'i). H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm), Diam. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1913 (13.93.1)

Slide 5

Bowl. Seljuq period (1040–1196), 12th–13th century. Made in Iran. Stonepaste; polychrome in-glaze and overglaze painted with gilding on an opaque white glaze (mina'i). H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm), Diam. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1912 (12.206.1)

Slides 6–9

Bowl with a ruler and attendants. Seljuq period (1040–1196), 12th–13th century. Attributed to Iran. Stonepaste; polychrome in-glaze and overglaze painted and gilded on an opaque monochrome glaze (mina'i). 3 1/4 x 7 3/8 in. (8.3 x 18.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Rogers Fund, and Gift of The Schiff Foundation, 1957 (57.36.5)

Slides 10–13

Jar. Seljuq period (1040–1196), 12th–13th century. Attributed to Iran. Stonepaste; polychrome in-glaze and overglaze painted (mina'i). H. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Fletcher Collection, Bequest of Isaac D. Fletcher, 1917 (17.120.183)

Slides 14–17

Ewer with Horsemen and Sphinxes. Seljuq period (1040–1196), 12th–13th century. Attributed to Iran. Stonepaste; polychrome in-glaze and overglaze painted and gilded on an opaque white glaze (mina'i). H. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Fletcher Collection, Bequest of Isaac D. Fletcher, 1917 (17.120.44)