Producer unknown to us
Vase
Asia, Iran, Isfahan
Prior to 1899
Clay, fired
Walter Philipp Schulz (orientalist, lawyer) probably appropriated the vase during his stay in Iran from 1897–1899
Donation to the museum by Schulz 1901
WAs 594
Although difficult to see, this vase depicts Mary, Mother of God, with the Christ Child and a dragon. Since records indicate that this vase is from Isfahan, the motif may refer to the history of Christian parishes in Persia and later in Iran. One of the earliest Christianizations began with the Syrian Church in the Parthian Empire (approx. 240 BC–3rd century AD) in what later became Persia. In addition to that, two Armenian churches are among the oldest congregations in Iran today. In the Armenian quarter of Julfa in Isfahan, several church buildings, as well as the Armenian Apostolic Vank Cathedral (Church of the Saintly Sisters), still exist today. The catalog card of another Armenian Christian item by the same collector (WAs 0944) refers to ”Julfa near Isfahan” as the place of collection. It can be assumed that the vase was acquired in the same place.
The depiction is probably “Madonna on a Crescent Moon” from Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation by John the Evangelist, in which the Mother of God is being pursued by a dragon, either pregnant or with the Christ Child in her arms, or fighting the dragon. The dragon is often interpreted as “the ancient serpent” and thus the devil. In early Christianity, depictions of Mary as the slayer of dragons were widespread. In the Armenian Church, Mary is worshipped as the supreme saint and important intercessor for all believers.
The lawyer Philipp Schulz probably acquired this vase during his stay in Iran from 1897 to 1899. The exact circumstances of its acquisition are so far unknown to us.
Kevin Breß