A RARE AND IMPRESSIVE SLIP-DECORATED 'LEOPARD' POTTERY BOWL Eastern Iran, 10^th century. Of conical form and supported on a short flat foot, freely painted with a prancing leopard, one front and one hind leg in the air, the elegantly curved tail swung upwards, the beast surrounded by dotted decoration within shaped reserves, the glaze stopping unevenly below the exterior rim, revealing the reddish buff ware.

Provenance: French trade.
Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Some old wear, firing flaws, intentional glaze crackling, minor glaze flakes, some with associated old touchups, minuscule nicks.

Weight: 616.1 g
Dimensions: Diameter 26 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a related bowl, also dated 10^th century, slip-painted with an ox, with similar dotted decoration, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 29.143. Compare a related bowl, also dated to the 10^th century, slip-painted with a similar animal and decorated with dots, in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.68.22.10.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's London, 5 October 2010, lot 81
Price: GBP 10,000 or approx. EUR 16,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A slip decorated green glazed pottery bowl, Eastern Iran, 10^th century
Expert remarks: Compare the closely related form and slip decoration with similar dots within shaped reserves and similar border below the rim. Note the size (23.7 cm) and that the bowl is painted with three birds instead of a leopard.