* A SAFAVID MONOCHROME TURQUOISE-GLAZED POTTERY BOWL
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTOR
Iran, 17th - 18th century

Of typical rounded shape, resting on a thin circular glazed foot, the body covered in monochrome turquoise glaze and decorated with impressed vertical lines converging to the foot, inventory stickers to the base, 22.5cm diam and 10cm high.

Safavid monochrome wares must have been very popular at the time and they are recognised as one of the closest imitations of Chinese wares achieved by Iranian potters. Some green examples could even be mistaken for Chinese celadon, if it wasn't for their opaque glaze. Nevertheless, the bright turquoise colour of the glaze on our dish gives immediately away its origin. Harking back at the typical 12th-century Kashan turquoise-glazed wares, this Safavid monochrome bowl is a successful marriage between past Iranian traditions and present Chinese influences. For a very similar example of turquoise monochrome pottery dish, please see O. Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, 2004, p. 465, cat. U.18.