Minneapolis Institute of Art

Plate

Persia (Iran)

Date

early 18th century

Medium

White earthenware with underglaze blue and black decor, Meshed ware

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Although blue-and-white patterns in ceramics are associated with China, Islamic potters were the first to use cobalt-blue decoration. When commercial ties to China were reestablished during the 1300s, fine ceramics imported from East Asia, particularly blue-and-white, became extremely popular and greatly affected subsequent Islamic styles. This outstanding example from the Safavid period is closely related to Chinese porcelains of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The foliate rim, tendril design of the cavetto (concave molding), animal motif in the center, and continuous scroll bands all loosely refer to Chinese motifs. Iran

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