CENTRAL IRAN, CIRCA 1200

The monumental horse and rider was one of the most popular motifs after the emergence of the mina’i enamelling technique in 12th century Seljuq Iran. This technique led to revolutionary advances in potters’ ability to paint detailed polychrome designs. The motif was possibly the result of the mid-12th century revival of pre-Islamic Persian iconography (for a discussion on this see Richard P. McClary, Mina'i Ware A Reassessment and Comprehensive Study of Iranian Polychrome Overglaze Wares through Sherds, Edinburgh, 2024, pp.154-5). A bowl with this motif is in The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (OC.158–1956), while a fragmentary example is in the Indianapolis Museum of Art (53.18) (for both, see McClary, op.cit., figs.4.7, 7.4). Bowls with similar motifs were sold in these Rooms, 24 October 2024, lot 33, and 1 September 2010, lot 464. Unusual examples of vessels decorated with literary scenes in the monumental style were sold in these Rooms 27 April 2023, lot 13, at Sotheby's London, October 4 2011, lot 32, and Bonhams London, 29 March 2022, lot 47.