Imre Jakabffy (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 5. (Budapest, 1977)

FEHÉRVÁRI, Géza: A Hoard of Blue and White Sherds from the Dasht-e Kavir

GÉZA FEHÉRVÁRI (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London) A HOARD OF BLUE AND WHITE SHERDS FROM DASHT-E KAVIR During the summer of 1975 a hoard of fifty-seven Persian blue and white sherds were discovered in the great salt desert of Iran, in the Dasht-e Kavir. They were found in the vicinity of Tabas, not far from the ancient caravan route between Yezd and Tabas (fig. 1). These fragments were eventually handed over to Mr. G. Anavian. a well-known art expert and antique dealer in Tehran.

1 Five of the best and most interesting pieces of these sherds were presented by Mr. Anavian to the author, who in turn offered them to the Francis Hopp Museum of Eastern Asiatic Art in Budapest. The rest of the hoard ended up in Japan, and unfortunately was dispersed in a number of private collections. While these fifty-seven sherds are only small fragments, mainly base parts of small bowls or large plates, they represent an interesting and rather rare group of pottery of the late Safavid period. According to the information, that was given to Mr. Anavian, these sherds were found together with remains of camel and human bones and other objects. That may indicate, that all these finds represent the remains of a destroyed camel caravan. A caravan, that must have perished either in a sandstorm, or perhaps was attacked by marauders. Indeed, such calamity was very often the fate of caravans in that part of Iran, particularly towards the end of the Safavid period and after, when central power collapsed, and when there was anarchy in the country. The Yezd — Tabas — Meshed road is still hazardous even today. Admittedly, there are no highway robbers there anymore, but the road itself is very sandy, and there are no petrol stations en route, except in Tabas. It is not really adviseable to drive along this route, except in a fourwheel drive vehicle.

2 There is another factor, which now contribues some new significance to these blue and white sherds from the Dasht-e Kavir. During the summer of 1975, the British Institute of Archaeology in Afghanistan carried out excavations at Kandahar. During the excavations, from the top layers, which represent the latest phase in the life of the old town of Kandahar, identical blue and white vessels came to light. That these wares were imported, rather than local, is beyond question. Such wares were never known to have been made in Afghanistan.

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