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Celadon imitation and Kirman monochrome wares were very likely made in the same workshops
in Kirman. The admiration for Chinese porcelain extended to celadon as well and therefore
the Near Eastern potters began to imitate it as early as the 14th century. The early examples
nevertheless, were far from acceptable as "celadon imitations", they were much closer to
contemporary green glazed vessels. Later copies came much closer to the Chinese originals,
particularly to the Chinese 14th and 15th century celadon wares. The Tareq Rajab Museum
possesses two such original Chinese celadon dishes and an Iranian imitation which was most
likely made in the 17th century (CER0586TSR). It was most likely made in Kirman, where
large number of such fragments were discovered. This may also be corroborated by other
monochrome vessels, although different types, but they come close to the celadon imitations.
This is well shown by a hexagonal jar which has moulded decoration and is coated with a
dark green glaze (CER0640TSR). To emphasize its similarity to celadon, the neck and base were
painted in red, which is the usual colour of the real Chinese celadon body. The second
example is a large jar with a similar dark geen glaze and once more its neck and base were
painted red (CER0042TSR). A small spitoon, which also belongs to this Kirman monochrome group,
is coated with a yellowish-green glaze on which the decoration was painted in white
(CER1131TSR). All three vessels may be dated to the 17th century.
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Celadon imitation and kirman monchrome wares