A Safavid Blue and White Kendi, Persia, 17th Century十七世纪 波斯青花军持Of lobed form, the pouring vessel decorated in underglaze cobalt with alternating panels of fantastical animals, height 7.1 in — 18 cmNote:Many Safavid pottery wares were produced in kilns located in Kirman (modern day Kerman, Iran). Chinese porcelain had been imported into Iran since the fourteenth century (Ming dynasty), which formed the basis of many local collections of royal and private ownership. When supplies of porcelain began to dwindle in the seventeenth century, local craftsmen replicated the wares to meet the demand. The result was a unique product of local city workshops and artisans, which interpreted standard Ming elements such as Kraak-style panels, lotus scrolls, and lappets, into their own definitive works of art under the Safavid Empire.Compare with an example sold at Bonhams London, March 29, 2022, lot 78Estimate: $1,500—2,000