*A SAFAVID BLUE, RED AND GREEN POTTERY PILGRIM FLASK PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION Kirman, South Eastern Iran, 17th century The moulded body of compressed circular shape, the edges ridged and shaped as a floral collar, resting on a flat plain base, with a short conical neck, the brass spout at the top a later addition, the white body painted in underglaze cobalt blue, red and green, the central moulded medallion decorated with a red rosette and eight drop-shaped cartouches filled with tufts of greenery and red rosettes, the border with Chinese-inspired scrolling chrysanthemum sprays and stylised flowerheads, 21.6cm high. Departing from the original plain shape and decorated with vibrant colours and themes, moulded polychrome-painted pilgrim flasks can be frequently encountered not only in the Kirman ceramic production but also in the Western Anatolian Kutahya as well (see for example Bonhams, 12 October 2006, lot 169; Christie's London, 25 April 2013, lot 252). Both productions share the use of new shapes and of the chromatic combination green - red - blue, with the addition of brown and yellow hues in the Anatolian creations. Although the original inspiration for these flasks may well derive from China and its renown moon-flasks, the Iranian and Turkish potters played with colours and design to achieve different, unique artefacts showcasing their genius.