20th Jun, 2024 11:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
258
A BLACK-PAINTED TURQUOISE-GLAZED SELJUK KASHAN-REVIVAL POTTERY DISH WITH COURTLY COUPLE
Iran, second half 19th - early 20th century
A BLACK-PAINTED TURQUOISE-GLAZED SELJUK KASHAN-REVIVAL POTTERY DISH WITH COURTLY COUPLE
Iran, second half 19th - early 20th century
Of typical shallow rounded shape with curved cavetto, resting on a short straight circular foot, the stonepaste body painted in black against a white ground and covered in turquoise glaze, the interior decorated with a large roundel in-filled with a Kashan-revival 'Monumental Style' figural motif depicting a seated courtly couple in conversation set against a dense scrolling vegetal background with birds and spiralling patterns, both haloed subjects characterised by Turkic Central Asian 'moon faces' and long gowns with pseudo-tiraz bands on the forearm, dark curly hair, and precious beaded tiaras, the female companion with three beauty marks around the lips following the fashion of the time, the inner part of the rim decorated with a silhouette calligraphic band, the exterior with a stylised scrolling vine, 29cm diam. and 9cm high.
This type of black-painted turquoise-glazed ware and iconography proved to be incredibly popular in the creations of pre-Mongol Medieval Kashan. Thus, it should not surprise that they were widely imitated in the 19th and 20th centuries by modern Iranian potters. The monumental-scale 'courtly couple' motif on the interior has been exploited in a variety of different forms and decorative techniques, including copper lustre and overglaze enamelled mina'i. For further comparisons of Seljuk medieval examples, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (acc. nos. 32.52.2 and 1975.1.1643), the MKG Museum for Applied Arts in Hamburg (acc. no. 1964.60), and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (acc. no. C.163-1977). Another Kashan-revival lustre pottery bowl dated 1218 AH (1803 AD) and presenting a similar decorative programme to the present lot was successfully sold at Chiswick Auctions, 16th July 2021, lot 289.
Estimated at £500 - £700
A BLACK-PAINTED TURQUOISE-GLAZED SELJUK KASHAN-REVIVAL POTTERY DISH WITH COURTLY COUPLE
Iran, second half 19th - early 20th century
Of typical shallow rounded shape with curved cavetto, resting on a short straight circular foot, the stonepaste body painted in black against a white ground and covered in turquoise glaze, the interior decorated with a large roundel in-filled with a Kashan-revival 'Monumental Style' figural motif depicting a seated courtly couple in conversation set against a dense scrolling vegetal background with birds and spiralling patterns, both haloed subjects characterised by Turkic Central Asian 'moon faces' and long gowns with pseudo-tiraz bands on the forearm, dark curly hair, and precious beaded tiaras, the female companion with three beauty marks around the lips following the fashion of the time, the inner part of the rim decorated with a silhouette calligraphic band, the exterior with a stylised scrolling vine, 29cm diam. and 9cm high.
This type of black-painted turquoise-glazed ware and iconography proved to be incredibly popular in the creations of pre-Mongol Medieval Kashan. Thus, it should not surprise that they were widely imitated in the 19th and 20th centuries by modern Iranian potters. The monumental-scale 'courtly couple' motif on the interior has been exploited in a variety of different forms and decorative techniques, including copper lustre and overglaze enamelled mina'i. For further comparisons of Seljuk medieval examples, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (acc. nos. 32.52.2 and 1975.1.1643), the MKG Museum for Applied Arts in Hamburg (acc. no. 1964.60), and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (acc. no. C.163-1977). Another Kashan-revival lustre pottery bowl dated 1218 AH (1803 AD) and presenting a similar decorative programme to the present lot was successfully sold at Chiswick Auctions, 16th July 2021, lot 289.
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 20th Jun, 2024
After much anticipation, Azca Auctions is delighted to announce their inaugural sale, Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, taking place on Thursday 20th June at 11.00am BST.
The sale comprises over 250 lots showcasing the extraordinary diversity and celebrating the artistic craftsmanship of South, Southeast and Central Asia, as well as the Iranian plateau, the Middle East all the way to the Mediterranean shores.
This longed-for, inaugural auction opens with a remarkable Northern London private collection of Indian artefacts, previously unseen in the market. “An Eye for Detail” is meant to illustrate not only the artistic achievements and talents of Indian craftsmen, but also the multi-faceted cultural and religious reality the Indian Subcontinent managed to foster and keep alive throughout centuries. Three generations of collecting collide into a very personal, subjective and unusual selections of tools, vessels, paintings, accessories, photographs and decorative lots that range from £150 to £6,000 GBP, offering a chance to both seasoned buyers and new collectors to make their pick.
Following the private collection selection, the remaining 150 lots are divided between the Arts of South Asia and the Arts of the Islamic Lands, two worlds that, despite their substantial geographic distances, have always been tightly interlinked. Among the highlights, one can count a selection of eight official courtly album portraits of Mughal Emperors (lot 164); a large Qajar polychrome-painted moulded pottery tile with a banquet scene replicating the Safavid frescoes of the Chihil Sotun Palace in Isfahan (lot 206); and lastly, an elegant and intact 16th-century Ottoman Iznik plate with saz leaves and arabesques (lot 262).
Dive into a world of wonders and for any specific query, please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Department, Beatrice Campi at beatrice@azcaauctions.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Viewing
Viewing will take place at the following address:
Metro Building, 8th Floor
1 Butterwick
London, W6 8DL
