Western Asia, Persia (Iran) or possibly Syria, Ilkhanid (Il-Khanid, Ilkhanate), ca. 1256 to 1353 CE. A gorgeous ceramic bowl, hemispherical and with a short, ring-shaped foot. The interior is painted with a rare motif of two naturalistic figures, seated opposite each other as if sharing a secret. Each is kneeling, wearing long, tunic-like clothing belted at the waist and with V-shaped necks, their surfaces decorated with hundreds of tiny dots. Their hands rest against their thighs and they angle their heads toward one another. They sit against a field of beautiful blue and green leaves, giving an impression of being in a verdant field. The exterior of the vessel is painted with similar colors in a repeated pattern that resembles overlaid leaves or feathers. Lovely craquelure and a faint iridescence have added to the piece with age. Size: 6.75" W x 3" H (17.1 cm x 7.6 cm)

Provenance: private California, USA collection; ex-Malter Galleries Encino, California, USA, Auction 83 May 18, 2003 lot 179; Gluck Collection

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#155859

Intact, with a few tiny chips and nicks commensurate with age. Fine craquelure and deposits on surface.