Turquoise-Glazed Monkey-Shaped Animal Figurine

Ceramic figurines and figural ewers are relatively common in medieval Iran, particularly among the fritware objects produced in 12th–13th-century Kashan. These works depict a wide range of subjects—from mounted soldiers to various animals—but a small, notably rare subgroup portrays monkeys, with only a few surviving examples today. With its even turquoise-glaze over a fritware body, the figurine is consistent with the fine ceramic wares produced in central Iran, particularly in Kashan, in the 12th and 13th centuries. Seated on his haunches, with his hands on his knees and wearing a pointed cap and a slightly mournful expression, the monkey has clear anthropomorphic qualities. These would endear him to his audience. Monkeys were thought to bring good fortune. They would also have been used to perform street tricks to entertain audiences. They were also central characters in puppetry performances of the time.