Bowl with elephant

With the arrival of the Mongols, Chinese designs made a visible impact on the arts of Iran. Most notably in ceramics were changes in vessel shape, resulting from the influx by sea of Chinese celadons with sharply inclined walls.

Motifs also diversified with the adoption of Asian elements, especially the lotus and phoenix, from woven silk textiles which were very light and mobile. This bowl reflects this historical dynamic and is remarkable for its size, excellent condition, and decoration, displaying a rare image of a pachyderm.

A standard inscription of blessings to the owner runs around the rim. On the interior, an elephant parades in a floral garden, encircled by three flying phoenixes and a smaller bird, easily identified as the much-loved Persian hoopoe. Together, the mammal and birds signify glory and esteem to the owner, reflecting symbolically on the interior, the written message on the exterior.