Kashan 'Lajvardina' Lustre Bowl - AMD.174, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1200 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 3.9" (9.9cm) high x 8.2" (20.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Lajvardina, Medium: Fritware. Lajvardina ware is the Mongol continuation of the beautiful and regal Minai technique. It is so called because of the usual dark blue glaze which is reminiscent to the stone lapis lazuli (lajvardina, in Persian). The graceful figurative painting and delicate coloring techniques are replaced by bold colors and robust shapes and intricate designs that are generally abstract scrollwork and arabesques and geometric designs from cut gold leaf. Here a white glaze with blue radial panels forms a simple cross shape with intricate details. They replace the normal dark blue glaze, giving a lighter more delicate appearance, though the geometrical layout and textured paneling are characteristic of lajvardina wares. Ceramics such as this piece and those from the Mongol Palace at Takht-i Suleiman, provide us with true guides to the qualities of original lajvardina decoration.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East