Inscribed Bowl with a Duck
Timurid dynasty (1370–1507), Late 15th century
Medium
Fritware, painted in black under a transparent turquoise glaze
Dimensions
8.2 × 36.9 cm (3 1/4 × 14 1/2 in.); Diam.: 36.9 cm (14 1/2 in.)
Classification
bowl
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
90582
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The rule of the Timurids (1307-1507) brought increased economic and artistic interaction between Iran and China, and the ceramics produced during this time are strong examples of this exchange. Although the color scheme of this bowl reflects the 12th-century Iranian practice of decorating with black under a turquoise glaze, the imagery certainly owes much to Chinese models. The form of the central duck surrounded by stylized cloud formations borrows from contemporary Chinese ceramics and paintin...
About the Artist
Islamic
Islamic art, a profound visual tradition originating in the 7th century CE, flourished across vast territories from Spain to India under Muslim rule, encompassing architecture, ceramics, manuscripts, textiles, and metalwork produced by diverse artisans rather than a single named master. Drawing from pre-Islamic Sasanian, Byzantine, and late antique influences, its early development under the Umayy...