A MINA'I POTTERY BOWL AND JUG
Kashan, Iran, late 12th - early 13th century

Comprising a rounded bowl, resting on a short foot and rising to a straight rim, painted in turquoise, red, cobalt blue, and manganese black on a white ground, the interior depicting miniature robed figures seated amongst cypress trees, a pair of birds perched on two of those trees, a cobalt blue-painted pseudo-calligraphic band interspersed with thick foliage running around the rim, the exterior with a band of stylised black naskh calligraphy framed within two red lines, 16.5cm diam. and 7cm high; and a jug, of compressed bulbous shape, with a short flaring foot, rising to a straight cylindrical neck, enhanced with a small handle on the shoulders, the exterior decorated with cobalt blue arabesque patterns and infinite knotwork medallions alternating turquoise leaves with red dots, a diamond-shaped fretwork frieze around the neck, the interior with a calligraphic band of pseudo-Kufic script in black, 13.5cm high.