Brooklyn Museum: Arts of the Islamic World: Bowl of Reflections

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Bowl of Reflections

Beginning in the twelfth century, ceramics were produced in Iran with a frit body that provided a clean, light surface for painting. The most luxurious of these wares contained luster, added to the surface in a second firing and creating a metallic sheen that complemented mystical texts and images. While the image on this dish does not appear to be narrative, the presence of a bird, a familiar theme in Persian mystical literature, and human features asso- ciated with light (such as the moon-shaped faces) set the tone for the mystical verses appearing in two bands around the rim and interior. The text includes poetry by Rumi’s spiritual master, Shams al-Din Tabrizi (d. 1248), as well as verses believed to have been composed by the lesser-known Baba Afzal al-Din Kashani (d. 1213–14).

Medium: Ceramic; fritware, painted in luster and cobalt blue over an opaque white glaze.
Geographical Locations:
- Place made: Iran
- Possible place made: Kashan, Iran
Dates: early 13th century
Dimensions: 3 3/8 x 13in. (8.6 x 33cm)
Inscriptions: A partial reading of the inner inscription (in Persian) band is: "Oh you whose intent is to hurt me for months and years, Who are free from me and cheerful at the anguish of my heart. You promised me not to break your promise anymore, It is I, dear, who have caused this break." (Bahrami 1949, 120).
Collections: Arts of the Islamic World
Museum Location: This item is not on view
Accession Number: 86.227.16
Credit Line: Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
Image: Top, 86.227.16_top_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

Catalogue Description:

Collections: Arts of the Islamic World: Bowl of Reflections