色絵人物図杯（ミナイ手）

　ミナイ手とは、白地に色鮮やかな絵の付いた中国陶磁器にあこがれて、イスラム世界が発明した色絵陶器であるといわれている。胎土に白釉を掛け、下絵を描いて施釉焼成し、色絵を施して二度焼きするが、特にその色彩のコーディネートは、独特の美しさを持つ。
　この作品は外側中央に七人の人物をぐるりと描き、口辺に連珠文とクーフィー体文字をデザイン化した文様帯、底辺にはけつ状連珠文を配す。内側は口辺に再びクーフィー倣文字文とアラベスク風の文様を組み合わせて、底に一羽の鳥を描き、周囲に小さな文様を散らしている。
　七人の人物のうち、二人が楽器らしいものを持っている。人物の衣装は、薄緑に白の篭目文様、青の市松文様、墨線に金の花、白地に赤の目玉としゃれたモチーフを用い、赤点や金を散らして、深みと華やぎを添える。このカップを手に持った当時の人の、楽しげな情景が思い浮かんでくるようである。

Mina'i refers to a polychrome ceramic ware that was developed in the Islamic world, based on their love of the vivid colors on white ground found in Chinese porcelains. In Mina'i ware the body clay is coated with a white glaze, under drawings are painted on the glaze and the work is bisque‐fired. Then polychrome overglaze enamels are used for the final decoration and the work is fired a second time. These wares have a distinctive beauty based on their lovely color coordination.

This work shows seven figures arrayed around the center of the exterior and the edge is patterned with a linked jewel motif and Kufic script designs. The lower area is decorated with a linked C‐shaped design. The interior edge is rimmed with Kufic lettering and arabesque patterns, while the interior base shows a single bird surrounded by scattered small motifs.

Two of the seven figures are seen holding what look like musical instruments. The clothing of the figures is decorated with elegant motifs, such as a white basket weave pattern, a blue checkered pattern, gold flowers and black lines, and red balls against a white ground. The scattering of red dots and gold give this cup depth and a festive quality. Surely a person would feel in a joyful mood the minute they picked up such a lovely cup.