TWO SULTANABAD POTTERY BOWLS WITH CALLIGRAPHY AND VEGETAL MOTIFS
Kashan, Iran, 14th century

Each of tapering rounded conical shape, resting on a short circular foot, with smooth thin rim, painted in cobalt blue and black under a transparent glaze against a white ground, the interior of one bowl featuring a central vegetal roundel surrounded by a band of black pseudo-calligraphy and four dotted clover-shaped medallions on the cavetto, the exterior covered with elongated almond-shaped petal or leaf shapes crossed by vertical lines in the middle, 18.2cm diam. and 9.5cm high; and another similar bowl, decorated with a band of black free-flowing naskh script around a central vegetal roundel, the cavetto with niches alternating floral sprays, arabesque motifs, and clusters of dots, 19cm diam. and 9.5cm high.