Dominant Fashions and Distinctive Styles

The story of the decorative arts involves at least two major dimensions: the dictates of fashion and the individual idiosyncrasies of style. Some ateliers produce superbly crafted and designed objects on the dominant theme, while others are less successful. The closeness in style of the elite ateliers had something to do with their commitment to faithful copying of Chinese models, whereas the lesser renditions may be understood as inferior copies, or even copies of the Safavid copies. The intent of ateliers producing superior wares diverged from the others, as quality was determined by the market targeted. Different ateliers, or craftsmen within an atelier, catered to different levels of society. This chapter establishes a chronology and provenance for as many different types of Safavid pottery as the data permits and teases from this information a sense of the relative social status (quality) of the different wares.Keywords: Chinese models; elite ateliers; painterly style; Safavid pottery