Collection
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Arts of the Islamic World

Dish with a Seated Deer

late 13th to 14th century

1 of 8

Caption

Dish with a Seated Deer, late 13th to 14th century. Ceramic, Sultanabad ware; fritware, painted in black, blue, and turquoise under a transparent glaze, 1 15/16 x 7 9/16 in. (5 x 19.2 cm) thickness of rim: 3/16 in. (0.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Horace O. Havemeyer, 42.212.9. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Title

Dish with a Seated Deer

Date

late 13th to 14th century

Dynasty

Ilkhanid

Period

Ilkhanid

Medium

Ceramic, Sultanabad ware; fritware, painted in black, blue, and turquoise under a transparent glaze

Classification

Ceramic

Dimensions

1 15/16 x 7 9/16 in. (5 x 19.2 cm) thickness of rim: 3/16 in. (0.4 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Mrs. Horace O. Havemeyer

Accession Number

42.212.9

Frequent Art Questions

  • What is fritware?

    Fritware is a type of ceramic material similar to the ancient Egyptian faience. "Frit" is a finely ground, glassy substance often made from quartz. Potters add an oxide to the frit which functions as a "flux" and lowers the melting point of the frit. This mixture can then be melted into a more fluid state and formed into tiles or vessels like you see in our gallery.
    Fritware is stronger than traditional clay meaning that it can produce a greater variety of forms with thinner and more decorative walls. Fritware is also naturally white which, of course, takes color much more easily than a brown, earthenware body.

  • Hi, I’m a zoologist who has worked with deer and I think there might be a mistake in a label. Object 42.212.9 is described as “Dish with a Seated Gazelle,” but the animal appears to be a deer, probably a Mesopotamian fallow deer. The identifying marks are antlers (not horns) and spots (rather than a solid color), both characteristics of deer. I’m having a great time at the museum, keep up the amazing work!

    Hi! I see exactly what you mean and I will certainly bring this to the attention of our Islamic Art curator!
    Awesome, thank you! ;)
    Thanks for the info! :)

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