A SAFAVID BLUE, RED AND GREEN POTTERY PILGRIM FLASK
Kirman, South Eastern Iran, 17th - 18th century

The compressed moulded body designed in the shape of a rosette, the edges ridged, resting on a flattened plain base, with a short conical neck, the brass spout at the top a later addition, the white body painted in underglaze cobalt blue, red and green, the central moulded medallion decorated with a red rosette and eight drop-shaped cartouches filled with tufts of greenery and red rosettes, the outer border with scrolling chrysanthemum sprays and stylised flowerheads inspired by Chinese blue and white porcelains, 21.6cm high.

Departing from their original plain shape and decorated with vibrant colours and themes, moulded polychrome-painted pilgrim flasks can be frequently encountered not only in the Kirman ceramic production but also in Western Anatolian Kutahya wares as well (see for example Bonhams, 12 October 2006, lot 169; Christie's London, 25 April 2013, lot 252). Both productions share the use of new shapes and the chromatic combination green - red - blue, with the addition of brown and yellow hues in the Anatolian creations. Although the original inspiration for these flasks was not autochthonous to the Islamic lands, the Iranian and Turkish potters played with colours and designs to achieve different, unique artefacts showcasing their genius.