An intact Kashan underglaze-decorated bowl, Central Persia, circa 1200

of truncated conical form with flaring walls stepped down to a straight vertical foot, painted in cobalt blue and black under a transparent colourless glaze, the interior with four radial black bands with naskhi calligraphy scratched in reserve between blue borders, divided by six triangular panels with scrolling waterweed painted in black on a blue and white ground, the reverse with further waterweed motifs

A similar bowl is in the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington, inv.65.28 (see Atil E., Ceramics from the World of Islam, Washington, 1983, pp.126-7, no.56).