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Requires Photography
Deep plate
Ottoman period
about 1600
Object Place: Iznik, Turkey
Medium/Technique
Fritware, painted over white slip under a transparent glaze.
Dimensions
Height x diameter: 5 x 29 cm (1 15/16 x 11 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George Washington Wales
Accession Number95.426
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Islamic Art
ClassificationsCeramics
DescriptionThe decoration of this medium sized plate is both outlined and developed in a dark black, using lines of differing thickness, and subtly enhanced in places by overpainting in blue. The back of the plate is simply decorated. Three motifs known as closed crescents are drawn cursorily as spirals and then splashed in blue. Alternating with them are three quick zig-zag squiggles similarly enhanced in green. The rim is painted entirely in black in a vigorous, highly simplified rock and wave design using five reserve panels with swan’s neck curves within each. Inside double lines, the cavetto and well are also primarily painted in black, again making use of the white ground by leaving in reserve its large figures. On a ground of spirals suggesting water, huge rumi leaves are spread and appear to vanish under the border. Superimposed on the rumis is a large vertical saz leaf with smooth edges and rumi terminals. As well as the pale blue enhancement to many of the major black outlines, the rumi leaves have little circular areas growing from the inner edge, and these are neatly filled with the jewel-like red. A few other small areas adjacent to the spiral field are softly touched with sage green.
InscriptionsPainted: P 6800.
ProvenanceBought in Paris for $2.00