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Lot Essay
Mina'i ware is a luxurious type of Persian pottery developed in Kashan in the years leading up to the Mongol invasion in 1219, after which production collapsed. Known for its detailed overglaze enamels, it represents one of the most refined ceramics of the medieval Islamic world. The white fritware or stonepaste body is decorated with vivid colours, often including figures, and the technique involves four firings. This process, also known as haft-rang or "seven colours," was revolutionary. The technical advancements that allowed painting under and over the matt glaze contributed greatly to the success of mina'i ceramics, transforming each piece into a precious decorative object.
Potters also combined this technique with low-relief decoration, often enhanced with gilding, to create an even more opulent effect, as seen on this bottle. It features an unusual and rarely seen addition of circular gilded bosses with holes, imitating the complex design of double-skinned pierced Kashan ewers, adding to its luxurious appeal. A comparable mina’i bottle with gilded decoration is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc.no.57.61.6).
Potters also combined this technique with low-relief decoration, often enhanced with gilding, to create an even more opulent effect, as seen on this bottle. It features an unusual and rarely seen addition of circular gilded bosses with holes, imitating the complex design of double-skinned pierced Kashan ewers, adding to its luxurious appeal. A comparable mina’i bottle with gilded decoration is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc.no.57.61.6).