A KASHAN LUSTER 'DOGS CHASING GAZELLES' POTTERY JUG
Persia, 12th – 13th century. The compressed globular body rising from a spreading foot to a broad waisted neck with slightly everted rim, a simple loop handle with a small knop links mouth and shoulder, the body painted in a rich luster with a band of dogs chasing gazelles, the neck and lower body with foliate designs, the interior with a pale blue glaze.

Provenance: UK trade, by repute acquired from an old English estate. Old label to base, '66'.
Condition: The vessel was broken into many pieces, and has been reassembled after excavation in a transparent manner, so that its actual condition is clearly visible, with associated fills and touchups. Some losses, soil encrustations.

Weight: 447.8 g
Dimensions: Height 15.6 cm

Auction result comparison: Compare a closely related Kashan luster pottery jug, similarly painted with running quadrupeds, 17.4 cm high, dated to the 13th century, at Sotheby's London, 9 October 2013, lot 113, bought-in at an estimate of GBP 15,000-25,000. Compare a related cup with running gazelles, 11.8 cm high, dated by inscription to 1197-1198 AD, at Sotheby's London, 3 October 2012, lot 158, sold for GBP 49,250.