Overview

A large hand-thrown and hand-painted Uzbek lagan (lyagan) — the broad presentation charger traditionally used to serve plov — most consistent with the Gijduvan ceramic tradition of the Bukhara region, one of Central Asia’s centuries-old Silk Road pottery schools. The piece is decorated across the face with a radiating concentric “mandala” of small dab-strokes in cobalt blue, copper green, and iron-ochre over a warm tan earthenware ground, under a glossy, slightly-flowing glaze. The reverse is marked in slip with an inscription that reads “Gijduvon,” the pottery town itself. It likely dates to the later 20th century and was acquired through Craft World Tours’ 2003 “Bazaars of Central Asia” tour, which visited a ceramic studio in Tashkent, the bazaars of Bukhara, and a family of potters on the road to Samarkand.

Design & Craftsmanship

Function & Form: A robust lagan approximately 16 in in diameter, 3 in tall, with an interior depth of about 2.25 in, resting on a turned foot ring. The heavy, thick-walled build (about 5 lb 12 oz) is characteristic of the Gijduvan school’s functional, substantial pottery.
Artistry & Ornamentation: A central stamped/rouletted rosette is surrounded by concentric rows of polychrome dabs forming a fish-scale or petal mandala, in the green, ochre/tan and cobalt palette associated with the Bukhara–Samarkand tradition. The rim is finished with a pinched, beaded “pie-crust” edge and radial glaze streaks. The flowing quality and small surface pops are consistent with the region’s organic ishkor-type alkaline glaze and traditional kiln firing.
Structural Base: The underside is glazed over a tan terracotta body with expressive green and ochre splashes and fine incised sgraffito scrollwork, with the slip inscription reading “Gijduvon” near the rim and a foot ring showing throwing rings. A separate inventory notation from the collection is also present on the foot.

Condition Report

Surface Condition: There is a localized glaze pop/flake loss on the face exposing the lighter body, along with scattered pinholing and minor glaze pops near the rim and some glaze crawling on the reverse — all typical of authentic handmade Central Asian pottery and its traditional glaze and firing. Overall light crazing is present.
Structural Integrity: The piece is stable and sound, with no cracks observed. This item is sold “as-is” with all associated patina and wear inherent to its age and history as part of the Craft World Tours Collection.

hand-painted charger

Uzbek Gijduvan Folk Pottery Lagan — Hand-Painted Concentric Mandala Charger in Green, Ochre & Cobalt, Marked “Gijduvon,” Wall Plate