Dish
1 of 2
Object Label
Shared motifs and designs in the art of diverse cultures along the Silk Route provide some of the most visible evidence of cultural transmission between China and the Islamic world. Through trade, tribute, gift exchange, and the spread of religions such as Buddhism, Manichaeism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, imagery associated with one artistic tradition was often adapted or incorporated in another cultural context.
A blue-and-white Iranian dish with Chinese cloud collar motifs illustrates how motifs evolved or were reinterpreted. The blue-and-white inspiration from China underwent several transformations in Iran as well as in the Ottoman Empire, where designs were combined with new colors and motifs to create the celebrated Iznik style of ceramics.
Caption
Dish, 18th century. Ceramic; stone paste, painted in blue and turquoise under a transparent colorless glaze, 2 5/16 x 11 7/16 in. (5.8 x 29 cm) Diameter at foot: 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm) Thickness of rim: 3/16 in. (0.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 11.32. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Dish
Date
18th century
Dynasty
Ottoman Empire
Period
Ottoman Period
Medium
Ceramic; stone paste, painted in blue and turquoise under a transparent colorless glaze
Classification
Dimensions
2 5/16 x 11 7/16 in. (5.8 x 29 cm) Diameter at foot: 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm) Thickness of rim: 3/16 in. (0.5 cm)
Credit Line
Museum Collection Fund
Accession Number
11.32
Frequent Art Questions
Was there any reason why many of these pieces are painted using blue?
Yes! Ceramics are fired in a kiln at high temperatures. Porcelain is fired at the highest heat (between 1,200 and 1,400 degrees celsius). There are few glaze colors that remain stable under such high heat. The metal cobalt that is used to create this beautiful blue is one of the few colors that can withstand the high temperatures in the kiln!Thanks
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