Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
The central register of the bowl contains a repeated pattern of birds with wings exposed. A stylized floral motif marks the space between each bird. A raised wave pattern runs around the interior rim of the bowl, and a geometric motif is repeated along the exterior.
For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. Mina’i ware scenes often depict courtly pursuits, such as feasting, fighting, or poetry and music performances. This repertoire of activities is encompassed on this bowl’s decoration. At the center, the figures of four hunters on horseback, alternate with vegetal scrolls.There is an inscription in cursive naskhi on the outer rim of the bowl.
For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
A full range of colors can be seen on the inside of this bowl, which is composed of a pattern of dark red, blue, turquoise, and black outlining, which is made possible by the enameling technique employed in the making of mina’i ware. A pseudo-inscription in black Arabic script encircles the bowl’s outer rim.
For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
This footed bowl features an internal design of a geometric pattern detailed in blue, turquoise, and gilding. A kufic inscription is written in blue around the outer rim of the bowl, while a raised geometric design encircles the inner rim.
For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
Mina’i ware scenes often depict courtly pursuits, such as feasting, fighting, or poetry and music performances. These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. A central figure on horseback is encircled by stylized vines. About the inner rim runs a pseudo inscription, and a different pseudo inscription encircles the outer rim of the bowl.
For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
Mina’i ware scenes often depict courtly pursuits, such as feasting, fighting, or poetry and music performances. These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. The combination of leisurely activities with more warrior-like occupations, such as hunting, was frequently used in the medieval Persian iconography of kingship. This is referred to as bazm wa razm, or feasting and fighting. The central figure seen here is seated on a harnessed horse, possibly while on a hunt. The bowl also features two pseudo-inscriptions in different calligraphic styles: in kufic on the interior, and naskhi on the exterior.
For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
Mina’i ware scenes often depict courtly pursuits, such as feasting, fighting, or poetry and music performances. These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. The combination of leisurely activities with more warrior-like occupations, such as hunting, was frequently used in the medieval Persian iconography of kingship. This is referred to as bazm wa razm, or feasting and fighting. The central figure seen here is seated on a harnessed horse, possibly while on a hunt. The exterior of this footed bowl includes what is possibly a pseudo-inscription in the cursive naskhi style.For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
A central figure on horseback is encircled by stylized geometric shapes, above which are colorful birds. About the inner rim runs a kufic inscription decorated with abstract leaves. A pseudo inscription, enclosed within two red lines, encircles the outer rim of the footed bowl.For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
Mina’i ware scenes often depict courtly pursuits, such as feasting, fighting, or poetry and music performances. These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. On this footed bowl, a single man on horseback is encircled and surrounded by stylized gilt detailing, with designs evoking floral patterns contained within the larger design. A blue kufic inscription, surrounded by abstract vines, encircles the outside of the bowl.
For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
Mina’i ware scenes often depict courtly pursuits, such as feasting, fighting, hunting, or poetry and music performances. These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. The central figure seen here is seated on a harnessed horse, possibly while hunting. The interior of this footed bowl includes an inscription in the kufic style.For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
A central figure on horseback is encircled by stylized geometric shapes, above which is a band of gilded naskhi inscription. About the inner rim runs a kufic inscription decorated with abstract leaves and geometric shapes. A pseudo inscription encircles the outer rim of the footed bowl.For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Mina’i is a modern collectors’ term for ceramics made in Iran during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The term mina’i, translates as “enamelled” in Persian, designating the colored glass pigments used to paint detailed figural decoration on vessels or tiles, which were then fixed on the ceramic base by multiple firings. The use of a wide range of colors, including turquoise, red, green, purple, and black, also led these types of ceramics to be called by the Persian term “haft rang,” or “seven colors.”
These colorful compositions created complex narrative scenes which paralleled manuscript painting. Mina’i ware scenes often depict courtly pursuits, such as feasting, fighting, or poetry and music performances. The combination of leisurely activities with more warrior-like occupations, such as the hunt, was frequently used in the medieval Persian iconography of kingship. This is referred to as bazm wa razm, or feasting and fighting. This juxtaposition is seen here, with the central figure, perhaps a ruler, seated on a fully harnessed horse, surrounded by seated four seated figures, who may be courtiers. A pseudo-inscription in kufic lines the interior rim of the bowl, while a pseudo-inscription in naskhi can be seen on the exterior.
For the latest information about this object, bowls (vessels), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style: