TWO POLYCHROME-PAINTED MINA'I POTTERY SHARDS Kashan, Iran, late 12th - early 13th century Comprising two circular Mina'i pottery shards, the frit body covered in opaque white glaze with in-glaze painting in blue, turquoise, black and overglaze painting in red, brown and gold, the decoration with the central rider on a horse typical of the time, the larger piece with an old inventory sticker 47/100, 13.8cm and 8.2cm diam. The Leitmotif of the rider is very common in Mina'i pottery production. Often identified as Bahram Gur or one of the mythical kings of the past, the rider was a well-fitting motif at the Iranian court just before the Mongol invasions. For similar examples of complete mina'i bowls with this motif, please see Oliver Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, 2004, pp. 366 - 369, cat. P.2, P.3, P.4.