An exceptionally fine intact Kashan underglaze-decorated bowl, Central Persia, circa 1200

of truncated conical form with flaring walls stepped down to a straight vertical foot, painted in two shades of cobalt blue and black under a transparent colourless glaze, the interior with six radial black bands with naskhi calligraphy scratched in reserve between vivid blue borders, divided by six triangular panels with single flowerheads and scrolling waterweed painted in black on a pale cobalt ground offset by the brilliant white frit body, the back with waterweed design

Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, donated by Joan Palevsky, de-accessioned 2002
Christie's, 15 October 2002, lot 72

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, inv. M.73.5.243

Pal, P. (ed.), Islamic Art, the Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection, Los Angeles, 1973, p. 43, no. 56

INSCRIPTIONS:

Persian verse, including:

"Although the heart is set more on fire through anguish
It gets used to you more by every moment
Take care!  Do not blow, since in this I am sick at heart [and]
The fire blazes with every breath
I have frequently been driven to despair because of you.
Out of your sorrow, whether my heart or face, have shed blood."

Bold in design, confident in execution and in exceptional condition with pigments and glaze remarkably well preserved - and with outstanding provenance - it would be difficult to find a more brilliant example of Kashan blue and black ware, in itself a technical and artistic highpoint in the history of Islamic ceramics.

A similar bowl is in the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington, inv. 65.28 (see Atil, E., Ceramics from the World of Islam, Washington, 1983, pp. 126-7, no. 56).