An Investigation of the Impact of Baghdad and Seljuk Miniature Painting Schools on Minai Wares

Pottery art in Iran reached its apex during the Seljuk and Kharazmshahi eras. In these two periods, artists producedhigh-quality wares, with Minai decorations which are considered as masterpieces of Islamic art from an aestheticalpoint of view. These wares were decorated with motifs from manuscripts illustrated by artists from Baghdad andSeljuk miniature painting schools portraying epic stories in the Shahnameh or love stories in Nezami’s Khamse.Although very noticeable, influences on Minai wares from miniature works of Baghdad and Seljuk schools havereceived little attention by researchers. This led researchers to investigate the similarities of motifs remaining fromBaghdad and Seljuk schools in works such as Varagha and Golshah, Kalileh-and-Dimna and Hariri Maghamat torecognise their influences on the motifs of Minai wares. The main purpose of this paper is to study and explore theimpact of Baghdad and Seljuk miniature painting schools on Minai wares and evaluate their respective influenceson Minai wares. The methodological approach applied in this study includes historical-comparative analysis aswell as researches in libraries and museums resources. Illustrated manuscripts belonging to Baghdad and Seljukschools were identified, their similarities and differences were singled out and finally their influences on Minaiwares were evaluated.