Two women carrying a tea service

Historical period(s)
Timurid period, 15th century
Medium
Ink, color, and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 19.5 x 15.8 cm (7 11/16 x 6 1/4 in)
Geography
Historic Iran, present-day Afghanistan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1938.14
On View Location
Freer Gallery 03: Engaging the Senses
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Manuscript folio

Keywords
Afghanistan, chinoiserie, Iran, tea, Timurid period (1378 - 1506), woman
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

This tinted drawing is another manifestation of Timurid fascination with China. Whether the artist drew the composition from memory or based it on an actual model, he must have been unfamiliar with his subject matter. He has reduced the folds of the women's garments and their hair ornaments into decorative patterns, while the teapot has been converted into a two-dimensional motif. Such Timurid compositions were clearly valued for their depiction of the "other" rather than as an authentic representation of Chinese women and their accoutrements.

Published References
  • Fredrik Robert Martin. The Miniature Painting and Painters of Persia, India, and Turkey from the 8th to the 18th Century. 2 vols., London. vol. 2: pl. 33.
  • Georges Marteau, Henri Vever. Miniatures Persanes: tirees des collections de M.M. Henry d'Allemagne, Claude Anet, Henri Aubrey... 2 vols., Paris, June-October 1912. pls. 50, 51.
  • Ernst Grube. The Problem of the Istanbul Album Paintings. vol. 1. p.12,17,19,178, fig. 448.
  • Dr. Esin Atil. The Brush of the Masters: Drawings from Iran and India. Exh. cat. Washington, 1978. cat. 9, p. 29.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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