Sgraffito Hand Painted Ceramic Plate

This decorative hand painted ceramic plate features ancient Sgraffito technique and symbolic Persian motifs with a modern sensibility

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

about this hand painted ceramic plate

This Sgraffito ceramic plate by Masume Reza Zadeh is handcrafted using traditional Iranian underglaze painting techniques. Sgraffito technique involves applying a white slip and carving motifs to reveal the clay body beneath. This ceramic plate is fired at 950 degrees Celsius and glaze fired at 1070 degrees for durability and brilliance.

In the 11th century, new sgraffito ware types emerged in northern and northwestern Iran, near Azerbaijan and Georgia. These designs were inspired by Zoroastrian motifs and metalwork from the earlier Sasanian Empire in Iran. They also displayed greater control of color and precision in incised decoration.

The first type, plain incised ware, came from Amol in Mazandaran. It featured simple inscribed designs, birds, animals, scrollwork, and epigraphy, under a transparent yellow glaze. 

The second type, known as Garrus ware, originated in northwestern Iran. It displayed floral patterns, human figures, and animals carved through thick white slip.

The third type, Aghkand ware, had polychrome designs in green, yellow, and brown. These included birds, hares, and other animals outlined with incised lines. This technique was influenced by contemporary metal-working practices.

Later, similar sgraffito ceramics were produced in Syria, Egypt, and the Byzantine world. This spread the technique westward and into broader cultural contexts. Today, many of these historical ceramics are preserved in major museums and auction collections worldwide.

Designed for wall hanging or use with a display stand, these plates enrich any space with elegance and cultural heritage. Masume’s artworks draw from historical traditions, scrollwork, symbolic motifs, animals, and floral ornamentation, with thoughtful contemporary interpretation.

View her Dubai collection of available artworks here

copyright

This ceramic plate is unique and one of a kind original therefore, all copyrights and reproduction rights are reserved by the artist.