A Rare Mina'i Bowl with stylised tree, plants, and peacocks, Persia, late 12th/early 13th century

of deep rounded form on a slightly splayed foot, composed of fritware painted in red, dark blue, lavender and green with black outlines on an opaque white glaze, featuring a stylised tree with abstract leaves, surrounded by foliate stems, birds and peacocks, internal rim with a band of Kufic calligraphy, the exterior with a calligraphic band

Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007.

O. Pancaroglu, Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007, p.108, no.66.

In fair condition, breaks with associated restoration including some overpainting, some flaking to paint, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

Around the inner and outer rim in Kufic script, a repetition of:

al-sa'ada 'Happiness'

The mina'i style of painting is thought to have originated in the late twelth century. The discovery of the technique of polychrome enamelling, from which the word mina'i, (also meaning 'enamelled') derives, revolutionised previous largely monochrome ceramics and is also known as haft rang or 'seven colours' (Pancaroglu, p.109). The mina'i masters are believed to be the same potters who worked on lustreware of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and as a result both techniques share certain features. 

The style developed in a number of different ways and consisted of multiple firings with a variety of pigments suspended in glaze solutions, including lustre in some cases. The present bowl represents a unique and beautiful design featuring a stylised tree issuing leafy scrolls filled with exotic birds evoking poetic allusions to the gardens of paradise.