Bowl with Harpies

26 Bowl with harpies Iran, Seljuk-Atabeg period, late 12th–early 13th century[1] Fritware painted with black (chromium), turquoise (copper), blue (cobalt), brownish-red (iron), and pink (iron and tin) over white lead alkali glaze opacified with tin 7 × 16 cm (2 3/4 × 6 5/16 in.) 2002.50.52 Mīnāʾī, meaning “enameled,” is a Persian word commonly used to designate wares decorated in a polychrome overglaze technique. Like luster painting, mīnāʾī is a costly process that requires a second firing. Seljuk- Atabeg period mīnāʾī wares are tentatively attributed to the city of Kashan, in central Iran.[2] In the center of this bowl two harpies (composite bird-women) are turned toward each other, their tail feathers joining overhead in an ogival arch. In Islamic lands these mythical creatures were associated astrologically with the planet Mercury and were considered generally auspicious. Foliate arabesques sprout from the harpies’ joined tails and fill the space below their feet. Encircling the bowl on the exterior is a single band of cursive script; it contains four hemistichs of medieval Persian poetry, which read, Beware, O friend, things have gotten out of hand. In knowing you [my] days have been lost. I had silver and gold, patience and sobriety. In the grief inflicted by you all four have been lost. (Zēnhār ay yār kār az dast shudh dar ʿilm-i tu rōzgār az dast shudh. Sēm zar būdhī marā u ṣabr u hōsh dar ghamm-i tu har chahār az dast shudh.)[3] The bowl has been reassembled from fragments with only minor losses and overpainting. Ayşin Yoltar-Yıldırım [1] The bowl was last fired between 600 and 1000 years ago, according to the results of thermoluminescence analysis carried out by Oxford Authentication Ltd. in 2002. [2] See Watson 1985, 84; Mason 2004, 131. [3] We are grateful to Wheeler M. Thackston for this reading and transliteration.