Reflection of Configuration of two Social Phenomena on luster Ceramics in Seljuk Era (The Appearance of Middle Class and Popular Art)

Luster pottery that had a significant prevalence from sixth to the eighth century AH in Iran, almost emerged simultaneously with the Seljuk rule in Iran. Analysis of these masterpieces in addition to the technical, structural and aesthetic aspects, sometimes help us to find political, economic, social and cultural status of this period. In this article to identify the social configuration and conditions of this period we want to scrutinize and recognize the luster ceramics of the sixth century AH. The emergence and widespread augmentation of this precious ceramics in the Seljuk Era raises some questions that this paper attempts to answer: Can sociological interpretation be offered for this artistic phenomenon and if it is possible to represent the social conditions and occult realities of society in this period? Are there any ways to identify the social history of art in Seljuk period in determine of luster ceramic’s motives which aesthetic principles of them always have been studied? The aim and intent of this paper is to discover how social conditions reflected in luster ceramics of sixth century AH and also to understand the formation of two social phenomena which are the appearance of middle class and popular art at this time. The theoretical basis of this article is sociological theories. Methods of this research are carried out by investigation of historical documents that are both textual and visual (artworks). Collected data have studied in descriptive analytical methods and in some cases comparative approach has also been used. It is considered that, it seems the development of the middle class is one of the reasons for the appearance and flourishing of luster ceramic production, and this is the beginning for general access to art and drawing daily life themes and using realistic style by artists in Seljuk period.