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Lot 168

A rare Samanid figural slip-painted pottery Fragment from a Plate
East Persia or Transoxiana, 10th Century

10 April 2008, 14:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £15,600 inc. premium

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A rare Samanid figural slip-painted pottery Fragment from a Plate
East Persia or Transoxiana, 10th Century

comprising the central roundel and rim section, decorated in olive green, tomato red and black on a cream ground, depicting a warrior wearing a pointed helmet and a studded shirt, the ground with stylised rosettes, the border with an elliptical contour panel containing a palmette scroll with a winged palmette emanating from the border
18.5 cm. max. diam.

Footnotes

Depiction of human figures is virtually unknown in eastern Persian slipwares, except buffwares. This plate is an important historical source for military dress of the period. The warrior figure is wearing what appear to be a studded shirt and pointed helmet. For another example, this time depicting a musician, see Oliver Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, London 2004, p. 241.

Additional information