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Bowl with an Enthronement Scene

Arts of the Islamic World

On View: Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor
The ruler and courtiers depicted in the outdoor enthronement scene decorating this bowl all wear costumes with embroidered tiraz armbands of the type traditionally given by Muslim rulers as honorific gifts to their subjects. Figures wearing tiraz garments are frequently depicted in ceramics, manuscript illustrations, stucco sculpture, and other figural artworks from the Islamic world during the medieval period. This bowl belongs to a class of enameled ceramics known as haft rang (or “seven-color”) ware, which were produced uniquely in the Iranian centers of Kashan and Rayy between 1185 and 1250. Often, haft rang ceramics are decorated with detailed narrative scenes, such as the one on this bowl. Other examples bear depictions of personified zodiacal or planetary symbols, while still others are decorated with artistic renderings of historical battles.
MEDIUM Ceramic, mina’i (enameled) or haft rangi (seven colors) ware; in-glaze painted in blue, turquoise, and purple on an opaque white glaze, overglaze painted in red and black, with leaf gilding
  • Place Made: Iran
  • DATES late 12th-early 13th century
    DYNASTY Seljuq
    PERIOD Seljuq Period
    DIMENSIONS 3 3/16 x 8 1/4 in. (8.1 x 21 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 86.227.61
    CREDIT LINE Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
    PROVENANCE Prior to 1963, provenance not yet documented; by 1963, acquired by Ernest Erickson of New York; December 16, 1986, gift of Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc. to the Brooklyn Museum.
    Provenance FAQ
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor
    CAPTION Bowl with an Enthronement Scene, late 12th-early 13th century. Ceramic, mina’i (enameled) or haft rangi (seven colors) ware; in-glaze painted in blue, turquoise, and purple on an opaque white glaze, overglaze painted in red and black, with leaf gilding, 3 3/16 x 8 1/4 in. (8.1 x 21 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.61. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.227.61_editedversion_SL3.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 86.227.61_editedversion_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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