Vase

Iran, 17th–19th century

Fritware with underglaze painting, hammered brass mounts with

engraved ornamentation.

H: 16.7 cm / Diameter: 17 cm

O 55

Purchased by Josef Škorpil, probably at the Exposition Universelle

of 1889 in Paris.

The shape and decoration of this vase (or container) resembles Chinese porcelain. The cobalt blue underglaze painting is inspired by the Chinese motifs used during the Yuan (1271–1368) and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties. Only the thin lines in the bottom section of the vessel are black. The lower section features scrolling foliage with flowers,

resembling the peony ornamentation on Chinese porcelain. The main decorative motif on the vase is the figure of a lion in midstride, corresponding more to illustrations on Iranian objects than Chinese patterns. The vase is also decorated with birds and with foliage and geometric motifs derived from Chinese patterns. Clusters of lotus

blossoms, peonies, plum tree motifs and mushrooms of immortality appear in the ornamentation. On the opposite side is a honeycomb motif composed of three sections.

The rim of the vase is covered with brass mounts, the outside of which is decorated with engraved patterns. The figurative decoration corresponds to the standard repertoire used in Iranian brass objects in the 18th century and during the Qajar dynasty in the 19th century. Animals, human figures and fantastic beasts are illustrated, including large cats and a lion wrestling with prey, harnessed elephants, game being hunted by lions, birds, a dragon with a snake body, and anthropomorphic beings in contemplation.

The vase reflects the popularity of Chinese export porcelain in western Asia and efforts to imitate it in local conditions. Iran was so successful at this that during a temporary halt in Chinese porcelain production following the fall of the Ming dynasty in 1644, Iran enjoyed an increase in production and exports of local fritware. The vase is probably part of a collection of pottery objects acquired during Josef Škorpil’s trip to the Exposition Universelle of 1889 in Paris. (JMl)