Iran, Kashan. Early 13th century CE
Luster Dish of a Seated Couple
Fritware, luster-painted on opaque monochrome glaze
Gift of Elinor Lander Horwitz, class of 1950
SC 2016:29-51
Text and image are integral to the design of this dish. Calligraphic poetry encircles the center image, and the Persian word shadi (happiness) is repeated around the outer rim. An abstract design divides the rings of text.
The design focuses our eye on a seated couple with halos at the dish’s center. Between them is either an instrument or a drinking vessel.
Detailed patterning is etched into the luster paint that surrounds the couple. While the text wraps around the image, the figures remain the primary focus of this dish.
This dish is unique to the collection because of its intricate detail and figural representation.
Madison Agresti, Smith College ‘19
[Detailed Image Description: a ceramic dish with an image of a seated couple at its center. In between the bands of ornately written Naskh script, there is an abstract design. The center of the dish features a seated couple, who both appear to have moon shaped faces that are talked about as a sign of beauty in Persian poetry. Both figures appear to be seated cross-legged with halos on their heads. The dish is painted in gold luster on a white glazed background. The text wraps around the image of the couple appears to be the primary focus of this dish. Between the seated couple there is either an instrument or a drinking vessel. Detailed patterning is etched into the luster paint that surrounds the couple.]