Bottle Depicting a Peacock in Foliage

Art Historical Context

This elegant 17th-century bottle from the Metropolitan Museum’s Islamic Art collection showcases the refined ceramic traditions of the period. Standing 13½ inches tall, the vessel is crafted from stonepaste—a durable, fine-grained material favored in the Islamic world—and features a striking peacock amid lush foliage. The bird’s form is rendered through luster-painting applied over a blue glaze and sealed beneath a transparent layer, producing a shimmering, metallic effect that catches the light beautifully. A later silver mount further enhances its refined appearance, suggesting the object wa...