House Model

Location: Iran

Materials: stonepaste ware, covered with a transparent turquoise glaze

Dimensions: 8 x 22.5 x 16 cm

Accession Number: POT 1047

Other Notes:

The roof is divided into compounds or pens, each filled with stocky felines and some long-horned animals, perhaps cattle or goats.

Such ‘house models’ could well have been children’s toys. Later in the 13th century, however, they seem to have been adopted by elements of the Mongol invaders who were still Buddhists and used as offerings in the temples and monasteries they founded.

Bibliography:

J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.126, p.111.