KASHAN, CENTRAL IRAN, CIRCA 1200

The body of this ewer is moulded with a lively design of dancers linking arms. It is one of a group known to have been produced in moulded fritware covered with a cobalt or turquoise glaze. Whether the motif represents a particular dance or whether it is an expression of the joie de vivre of life at court is unclear, but different explanations have been put forward for its possible significance. Ettinghausen and Bausani propose that it is a representation of the dastaband, the 'dance of the Magi', the fire-worshippers of the Zoroastrian religion (Ettinghausen, 1965, pp.211-24 and Bausani, 1968, p.548). It has also been suggested that the form of the dance, with the holding of hands and the position of the legs, finds parallels in an ancient Turkic tradition which appears to survive from the pre-Islamic period until the 15th century (Grube, 1994, pp. 159-60, no. 151). Ettinghausen remarks that portrayal of similar scenes on luxury goods, including silver-inlaid bronzes, lustre and polychrome painted pottery indicates their decided appeal to the wealthy and even the palace (Ettinghausen, 1965, p.224).

Turquoise and cobalt glazed ewers with the same design are in the David Collection, the Ashmolean Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts (Folsach (ed.), 1996, p.253, no.231, Fehérvàri, 1973, p.76, pl.E, no.64 and acc.no. 31.55). Another, from the collection of Raymond Ades is published in Bahrami, 1949, pl. VII. Two, one turquoise glazed, the other cobalt glazed are in the Khalili Collection (Grube, 1994, pp. 159-60 and p.170 , nos.151 and 160). A cobalt glazed jar with similar decoration, formerly in the Parish-Watson Collection, sold at Sotheby's, 14 April 2010, lot 142. A ewer of very similar form, design and colour sold in these Rooms, 7 April 2011, lot 43.