Fantastic fauna : decorative animals in Moslem ceramics

The XIII century brings more realism, but of an amusing and delicate kind; two rabbits look at each other over turned backs, three rabbits share three ears in the centre of a dish. Then the black and white series is animated in pose and spots, and, on one occasion, elegantly scalloped in blue. On page 127 two adventurous rabbits step out to see the world, while another is deliciously at rest (page 129-No.1)

The Horses are not, for the most part, the fleet steeds of Arabic tradition; one, in two shades of blue, is stretched in gallop, and another, equally blue, with a skeleton effect of darker markings, is moving; the others stand obediently awaiting their riders. The small head of the desert strain is faithfully depicted and the saddle cloths afford precious data on the stuffs of the period; love of decoration, perhaps a trifle restrained in the figures, has full play in the fabric. . . one cloth has a rich fringe continuing the sweeping mane. From the stables of nobles we descend to the streets and find a sturdy donkey, ancestor of the meek burden bearer of today, carrying a quaint bird-beaked basket or jar.

The Dogs, given singly, are mostly of the mastiff - breed, with little trace of the sleek desert hound. It is easy to see that here is an element of everyday life; they are depicted with great fidelity to nature, and little fantasy plays about the guardian of the house. In the hunting scenes there is another type of dog, evidently bred to follow swift footed game, these hounds have long ears and long stretched bodies and legs. The animals pursued recapture graceful line, the Gazelle in all its rendering has rare charm of pose. Beauty of design was not restricted to the finer material, for beside the