Collection Online
Dish

Dish
(12th century)

Medium
earthenware (Lakabi ware)

Measurements
7.6 × 41.1 × 40.0 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1950

Gallery location
17th Century & Flemish Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International

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About this work

The term lakabi, or laqabi, from the Persian word la’ābī (enamel), is a type of ware produced in Egypt, Syria and Iran on which the decoration is partly incised, preventing coloured glazes, including cobalt blue, from running into each other. Mainly large plates or dishes survive, and this example depicts an enthroned sovereign or dancer accompanied by two musicians and two animals. It reveals Iranian and Chinese influences, particularly in the long-sleeved robe worn by the main figure – a style also seen in Tang dynasty Chinese ceramic figures of Central Asian dancers.

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Kashan, Iran

Accession Number
994-D4

Department
Asian Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation

Physical description
Two musicians and dancer on platform, two blue beasts foreground. Lakabi ware. Blue, aubergine, turquoise, amber.