Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Islamic Middle East, Room 42, The Jameel Gallery

Ewer

ca. 1600-1725 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Iran (made)

This ewer is an example of the decorative effects created with a single colour glaze and incised decoration. The technique was used by potters during the reign of the Safavid dynasty in Iran (1501-1732).

In the 16th century, ceramic production in Iran was on a modest scale. When the capital moved to Isfahan around 1600, the production of luxury dishes and wall tiles in a wide variety of styles and techniques rapidly increased. There was no particular centre of ceramic production. The potters employed many techniques, including underglaze painting, coloured glazes and the use of lustre, which was revived after 1650.


Object details

Categories
Ceramics
Containers
Object type
Ewer
Materials and techniques
White earthenware, with incised decoration under the glaze
Earthenware (White)
Glazing
Incising
Brief description
White ewer with incised decoration, Iran, 1600-1725.
Physical description
Ewer with slightly flattened circular body and a tall neck flaring towards top. Spout is conical, tapering towards tip, but flaring out slightly at very end. It has one handle, formed by a simple band, opposite spout. Ewer is white with incised decoration under the glaze, of diaper bands and loosely drawn floral and foliate motifs.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.7cm
  • Maximum width: 22cm
Style
Safavid
Gallery label
  • Jameel Gallery Safavid Ceramics and Colour Safavid potters created brilliantly coloured ceramics. The effect was often achieved with glazes of a single colour. Many of these wares have moulded or carved decoration. The most unusual appears on bottles made in the 17th century, which bear scenes of people and animals. A second technique used coloured slips, or liquid clay, under the glaze. Potters sometimes carved the slip away to reveal the white body beneath. In other cases, they added designs in white and other slips. 18-19 White Ewer and Bowl Iran 1600-1725 Fritware carved under the glaze Museum no. 394-1884, 2594-1876(Jameel Gallery)
  • EWER White earthenware PERSIAN; 17th century(Old label)
Summary
This ewer is an example of the decorative effects created with a single colour glaze and incised decoration. The technique was used by potters during the reign of the Safavid dynasty in Iran (1501-1732).

In the 16th century, ceramic production in Iran was on a modest scale. When the capital moved to Isfahan around 1600, the production of luxury dishes and wall tiles in a wide variety of styles and techniques rapidly increased. There was no particular centre of ceramic production. The potters employed many techniques, including underglaze painting, coloured glazes and the use of lustre, which was revived after 1650.
Collection
Middle East Section
Accession number
394-1884

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Record createdMay 3, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O39223/ewer-unknown/
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