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Phoenix bowl
Second half 14th century
© R.M.N./J. G. Berizzi
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Phoenix bowl
Second half 14th century
Iran, Sultanabad (?)
Siliceous ceramic, decoration of siliceous slip painted on siliceous slip under clear glaze
H. 21 cm; D. 25.4 cm
Acquired 1930
OA 8177
Islamic Art
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| Author(s) |
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| Christine Gayraud |
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Phoenix bowl |
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Previously unknown in Islamic art, the candied chestnut color and the phoenix motif on this bowl are characteristic of the "Sultanabad" style that made its appearance in Iran in the 14th century. Of Chinese origin, the phoenix came to Iran with imported images and silks.
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Sheer ceramic harmony
The beauty of this bowl lies in the graceful circle of phoenixes, their long tails spread as they wheel around three lotus flowers against a backdrop of little leaves. The delicate grisaille achieved by the combination of a subtly grayed slip and the cream color makes this a most accomplished piece.
A growing Chinese influence
Drawn from the Chinese decorative repertoire, the phoenix motif first appeared in Iran on the ceramic wall tiles of Takhte Suleiman's royal hunting pavilion, built around 1280.
Dragons, lotuses and swirling clouds made their way into Iranian art under the Il-Khan Dynasty, inspired by imported Chinese lacquer ware, silks and manuscripts. There was considerable trade between the two countries at the time: like the Yuans, masters of China from 1280 to 1568, the Il-Khans were Mongol descendents of Jenghis Khan, and the "pax Mongolica" established during their reign facilitated commercial exchanges. As a result the phoenix came to supplant the similar simurgh in both art and myth.
Sultanabad ceramics: a veritable fortune
This bowl is an example of the Sultanabad ceramic style, named after the city in western Iran that was long considered its place of origin. However no pottery kiln has ever been found there.
The Sultanabad technique involves cream-colored highlighting applied over gray-brown - or, less commonly, blue - siliceous slip.
As here, the decoration characteristically uses a background scattered with small motifs among which are flying phoenixes, cranes and, more rarely, other creatures. Sometimes people are shown conversing. As is the case here, the other side is decorated with arcatures. Sultanabad ware appeared under the Il-Khan Dynasty and did not survive it. In the 14th century the technique and the décors were imitated in Egypt (MAO 618) and Syria, but with less pleasing results in that the colors were slightly different.
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Islamic Art : 
