Isabelle Imbert

Iranian Mina’i Wares with Richard McClary

Isabelle Imbert welcomes Dr Richard McClary, Senior lecturer in Islamic art history at the University of York. Throughout his career, Richard has published extensively on artistic and architectural productions across the Islamic world. In July 2024, his latest monograph was published at Edinburgh university press, titled “Mina’i Ware: A Reassessment and Comprehensive Study of Iranian Polychrome Overglaze Wares through Sherds”. The episode dives into this production of ceramic, limited to Iran between 1180 and 1220, its technique, classification, use, and the problems of fakes and forgeries tied to the art market at the end of the 19th century.

Listen to the podcast here!

Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links

Reproductions of Artworks discussed in the Episode (click on the images to see more information)

Bahram Gur and Azade, Mina’i ware, Iran, 1180-1220 Metropolitan Museum (57.36.13) Credit: MET Museum
Beaker, Mina’i ware, Iran, 1180-1220 Freer Gallery of Art (F1928.2) Credit: Freer
Falconer bowl, Mina’i ware Louvre Museum ( MAO 440) Credit: Louvre Museum
Monumental jar fragment, Iran, 12th c.. Sarikhani Collection (inv: i.ce.2223) Credit: Richard McClary
Monumental jar fragment (detail), Iran, 12th c.. Sarikhani Collection (inv: i.ce.2223) Credit: Richard McClary
Monumental jar fragment (detail), Iran, 12th c.. Sarikhani Collection (inv: i.ce.2223) Credit: Richard McClary
Mina’i bowl sold in 1938 to James Cromwell, published in A. Pope, A Survey of Persian Art, 1938, vol. 5, pl. 561) Credit: Pope, 1938