This large dish has a cobalt blue painted landscape scene with pavilions. It is an Iranian potter’s interpretation of the Chinese blue and white plates that were widely exported to the Islamic world and Europe. Such Iranian copies of Chinese blue and white wares were often touted as Chinese by various European trading companies o unsuspecting Europeans when they were unable to secure the genuine pieces. The imitation of Chinese ceramics is a theme found throughout the history of Islamic ceramics, not only in terms if motifs but also in technology. It was however not blind imitation, for the Islamic potter would take inspiration from the Chinese prototypes and design something completely new and different. The influence was not one-sided as the use of cobalt and certain Islamic metalwork shapes have also influenced Chinese potters.
