Artist name:
Samarkand ware
Artwork title:
Deep bowl
Description: Small, deep bowl; slip-painted Samarkand ware; buff coloured, low fired clay body; tapers inward from mouth to small footrim; base is slightly sunken and convex in the interior; covered with white slip except footrim and base; linear design painted on slip with iron oxide running yellowish on the edges; the whole interior and about half of the exterior from the lip downward is covered with a thin, brilliant, light yellow-green glaze; design in the interior consists of 6 water birds (probably mandarin ducks) swimming, arranged in the shape of a cross or swastika. Ducks in pairs (in this case 3 pairs) symbolise conjugal fidelity and happiness in Far Eastern belief.
Artwork date(s): 9th/10th century or later
Artwork type: Eastern Collection
Medium: earthenware, glaze
Measurements: H:790
Accession number: 554
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