Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

The lady is dressed in a theatrical costume, standing straight, with her hands raised, the index finger pointing up, her hair parted and draped up in an elaborate bun, originally with stiff flaps on either side, pierced with three holes for insertion of metal hair ornaments. The long flaring skirt has a pointed apron with three flame-line extensions on either side, the shoes have oversized cloud-shaped tips. A tightly belted jacket with a prominent collar is revealing her decolletée, the tight sleeves with emphasized folds at the shoulders and upper arms terminate in huge pendant cuffs, hiding further sleeves with smaller cuffs underneath. The beige-coloured earthenware is covered with a white dressing and shows traces of red pigment at the jacket and apron, the latter with black painted floral designs, traces of green at the sleeves and black at the shoes and hair. The face was later repainted and perhaps re-carved.