Collector guide · 9 min
Mina'i ware: overglaze-painted ceramics of medieval Iran
Editorial team · updated 2026-10-03
Technique
Some colours were painted under the glaze and fired; others were added on top and fired again at a lower temperature. This allowed a wide palette — rare in its time.
Imagery
Enthroned rulers, riders, hunters and scenes from the Shahnameh, framed by bands of script.
Collecting caution
Mina'i is heavily restored and forged. Repainting is common. Rely on museum-quality provenance and laboratory testing.
A note on this guide
This is a general introduction written by the CraftPersia editorial team and has not yet been reviewed by a specialist. Workshop practice varies between towns and families; treat dates and figures as approximate and confirm details with makers, museums or published scholarship before relying on them.
Related photographs
Representative photographs, not of any specific catalogued object. Sources on the credits page.