Bowl with Design of Bird and Flowers

This bowl from northern Iran, with the bird and surrounding flowers that resemble lollipops, is typical of wares often attributed to the town of Sari on the coast of the Caspian Sea. It is also a good example of figural decoration in Islamic art. One common misconception about Islamic art is that figural decoration is not allowed. Generally, figural decoration does appear on secular objects from most regions during most eras.