Ewer with Rooster Head

Islamic, Iranian
Not On View
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About the Artwork

This rare double-shelled ewer imitates in ceramic the Seljuk metalwork techniques of openwork decoration, a masterpiece in the annals of pottery production. A pierced outer shell representing deer, sphinxes, and human-headed birds covers a solid inner shell designed to hold the liquid contents. Inscriptions and willow leaves encircle the lower body and neck, above which rises a rooster’s head with an open crest to receive liquid and a pierced beak for pouring. The rooster, perhaps identified here as the Simurgh (a magical being able to protect against evil), in this case possibly was intended to guard the owner of the ewer from poison.

Ewer with Rooster Head

ca.1200

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Iranian

Islamic

Under-glaze slip-painted fritware

Overall: 10 3/4 × 6 3/4 × 6 inches (27.3 × 17.1 × 15.2 cm)

Ceramics

Islamic Art

Founders Society Purchase with funds from Founders Junior Council, Henry Ford II Fund, Benson and Edith Ford Fund, J. Lawrence Buell, Jr. Fund

1989.34

This work is in the public domain.

Markings

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Provenance

(Said Motamed, Frankfurt, Germany)

1989-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

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Provenance page

Exhibition History

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Published References

Bulletin of the DIA 65, no. 2/3, 1989, p. 9, fig. 6, (ill).

Henshaw, Julia P., ed. A Visitors Guide: The Detroit Institute of Arts. Detroit, 1995, p. 123 (ill.)

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Islamic, Iranian, Ewer with Rooster Head, ca.1200, under-glaze slip-painted fritware. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase with funds from Founders Junior Council, Henry Ford II Fund, et al., 1989.34.

Ewer with Rooster Head: Main View of Collection Gallery
Ewer with Rooster Head: 1 of Collection Gallery Ewer with Rooster Head: 2 of Collection Gallery

+ 4 images

Ewer with Rooster Head
Ewer with Rooster Head