ILKHANID IRAN, 13TH CENTURY

Lajvardina wares are named after the Persian word lajvard meaning "blue". It is applied principally to a group of vessels and tiles covered with a very intense cobalt-blue as is seen here, and then decorated in overglaze enamels, often in red, white and gold – typically with abstract floral and geometric motifs such as the bold rosettes seen here. As a term is has also been applied to the turquoise glazed enamel decorated vessels and tiles from the same group, as well as the rare examples worked on a white ground. Tiles in this technique are found in buildings dating from the later thirteenth century, notably from Takht-i Sulayman. It continued in use into the Timurid period in Central Asia, although with different designs.

A jug, with closely related decoration of stylised crosses alternated with calligraphic panels was sold at Sotheby’s, London, 24 October 2007, lot 128. A more recent example of a lajvardina pottery vessel sold in these Rooms, 26 April, 2018, lot 48.