Art Institute of Chicago

Bowl

Iran

Date

Ilkhanid Dynasty (1256–1353) , Late 13th/early 14th century

Medium

Fritware with underglaze-painted decoration

Culture

Soltanabad

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Sultanabad wares were known for their distinct style of decoration, namely the loose unconnected foliage used as a background for a central figure rather than a landscape. While this vessel is typical of Sultanabad wares, it also hints at Chinese influences introduced under the Mongols. The lotus flower, a popular symbol in China associated with purity, appears here just above the back of the central animal figure. The lotus was frequently represented in Islamic contexts, though most likely without the rich associations held by Chinese cultures.

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