Bowl of Reflections
1 of 3
Object Label
A container for cosmetics or possibly medical ointment, this covered dish represents a tilapia fish. The tilapia symbolized fertility and was believed to promote abundance on earth and a renewed life after death. This container’s lid swivels open at the tail.
Caption
Bowl of Reflections, early 13th century. Ceramic; fritware, painted in luster and blue over an opaque white glaze, 3 3/8 x 13in. (8.6 x 33cm) mount (m3): 7 1/4 × 1 3/4 × 11 1/4 in. (18.4 × 4.4 × 28.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.16. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.227.16_top_PS2.jpg)
Tags
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Bowl of Reflections
Date
early 13th century
Geography
Place made: Iran, Possible place made: Kashan, Iran
Medium
Ceramic; fritware, painted in luster and blue over an opaque white glaze
Classification
Dimensions
3 3/8 x 13in. (8.6 x 33cm) mount (m3): 7 1/4 × 1 3/4 × 11 1/4 in. (18.4 × 4.4 × 28.6 cm)
Inscriptions
A partial reading of the inner inscription (in Persian) band is: "Oh you whose intent is to hurt me for months and years, who are free from me and cheerful at the anguish of my heart. You promised me not to break your promise anymore, it is I, dear, who have caused this break." (Bahrami 1949, 120). Translated by Wheeler Thackston on 12/30/09: Chun nist darin zamana-i 'ahdshikan yak dost ki 'aqibat nagardad dushman. Tanha'i kunun guzinam daman ba khweshtanam khwashast z' in pas man man. Since in these days of infidelity there is friend who does not eventually become an enemy, I now choose to wrap myself in solitude and henceforth amuse myself by myself. Ay zarif-i jahan salam 'alayk Inna da'i wa-sihhati bi-yadayk. Gar ba khidmat namirasam chi 'ajab> Inna r-ruha wa'l-fu ada ladayk. Daru-yi dard-i banda chist bigu. Qablatan law ruziqtu min shafatayk. Gar ba yak roz sayd-i khwad-ra guft Qum sahihan fa-qala dhaka 'alayk. Az tu ayam bar-i tu ham ba fighan Ah wa'l-mustaghathu minka ilayk. O most graceful one in the world, peace be with you: my misery and health are in your hands. If I cannot come to see you, why should that be strange? My spirit and heart are with you. Tell me what the remedy for my pain is. If only I could be given a kiss from your lips. If only one day you would say to your prey, "Arise in health," and then would say, "It is yours." I come into your embrace with a complaint of you. Alas, the one asked for help against you is dependent upon you. Ay ray-i tu sal u mah azurdan-i man farigh zi man u shad ba gham-khwardan-i man Gufti nakunam ba tu digar bad'ahdi in tez nakardan-i tu dar gardan-i man. O you whose intention it is to torment me for years and months, Unconcerned with me and happy over my sorrow. You said, "I won't break my promises to you any longer." This not sharpening of yours is also on my neck.
Credit Line
Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
Accession Number
86.227.16
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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