Lajvardina-type ceramics

It is characterized by its deep blue color and often features geometric patterns or foliage inlaid with gold leaf.

The term lajvardina is a misnomer, as these ceramics are characterized by their use of cobalt blue, which visually imitates lapis lazuli.

Kashan Potters had perfected the lustre technique, invented overglaze enameling, and explored breakthroughs in underglaze painting.

Kashan widely produced these wares until the 13th century, when the devastation of the Mongols' wrath caused production to freeze for almost 40 years.

[1] The Mongol armies brought on an onslaught of unparalleled violence and destruction, bringing central Asia to a standstill.

The dramatic decline in numbers and production quality of lustre pieces dated in the 15th century indicates reduction of this method.

Philippe Colomban has in the analysis of one an Iranian jug from the thirteenth century, shown the presence of lapis lazuli being used in a glaze.

The Mongol conquest of Iran saw the disappearance of the illustrated scenes of Mina'i (also known as haft-rang) ceramics to give way to denser and less figural compositions.

Lajvardina wares are usually characterized by a dark blue or turquoise underglaze, however there are also examples of white or more green tinted ceramics.

[9] The second layer of glaze, which adds the abstracted decoration, is often white, red and black, with inlaid pieces of cut gold leaf.

[13] The influence of the Mongols also caused some of the Chinese motifs that are commonly seen in Lajvardina ceramics, for example phoenixes and scrollwork, as well as plants like lotuses, chrysanthemums and peonies.

Albarelle, Iran, second half of the 13th century- 14th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Star-shaped tile, second half of the 13th century- 14th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Lajvardina type bowl with radial composition, 13th century- 14th century, Museum of Oriental Art in Turin
Round dish of fish, end of the 13th century - beginning of the 14th century, Louvre Museum