AN EXQUISITELY PAINTED SAFAVID BLUE AND WHITE GARLIC HEAD POTTERY VASE, IRAN, 17TH CENTURY

拍品描述

AN EXQUISITELY PAINTED SAFAVID BLUE AND WHITE GARLIC HEAD POTTERY VASE, IRAN, 17TH CENTURY Finely potted, the pear-shaped body rising to a slender, gently tapering neck surmounted by a bulbous garlic mouth. Freely painted in vibrant cobalt blue and anthracite with large flowerheads, curling leaves, and scrolling vines encircling the body, above a ruyi band at the foot, and a band of leafy floral scroll around the shoulder, the neck with upright floral stems between narrow borders, and the mouth with vertical stripes. The base left unglazed, revealing the fine white ware. Dimensions: Height 31 cm The introduction of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain into Safavid Persia is closely tied to the flourishing trade between the two regions during the reign of Yongle (1402-1424), a period that marked a new era in Sino-Persian exchange. Between 1406 and 1433, China launched seven major maritime expeditions that reached the Indian Ocean, Ceylon, the eastern coast of Africa, the Persian Gulf, and Persia itself. The history of blue-and-white porcelain in Persia thus spans several centuries, with its full maturity achieved in the seventeenth century, an enduring highlight within the Islamic world, where the appreciation of Chinese porcelain remained widespread and deeply rooted. In the early Safavid period, Persian potters closely followed Chinese prototypes, producing more literal adaptations of the imported repertoire. Over time, however, decorative motifs evolved in response to both local traditions and the growing presence of European influences, introduced by Portuguese and Dutch merchants. One approach adopted by Persian artisans was to preserve the foreign element in its original form, which led to a relatively limited variety of shapes in Safavid blue-and-white wares. Like many ceramics produced in Safavid Persia, the present vase reflects the aspiration to emulate highly prized Chinese porcelain. Its blue-and-white palette, the floral motifs and lotus blossoms all illustrate this intent. From the late sixteenth to the mid-seventeenth century, Persian potters began to reinterpret Chinese-inspired motifs with greater freedom, often imbuing them with a playful character. For a more in-depth understanding of the Chinese influence on Safavid blue-and-white ceramics between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, and their technological, stylistic, and iconographic developments, see the reference work by Yolande Crowe, Persia and China: Safavid Blue and White Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1501–1738, 2002. Literature comparison: Compare a related Safavid garlic-head bottle vase, dated 1642-1666, 37.5 cm high, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number 2500-1876. Compare a related Safavid garlic-head bottle vase, dated 1650-1700, 26.1 cm high, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number 448-1874. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Zacke Vienna, 17 October 2025, lot 583 Price: EUR 9,750 or approx. EUR 10,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related decoration, painting manner, and motifs. Note the form.

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