Porcelain services from China and Japan have been imported with great difficulty since the 18th century. An extensive collection of such Chinese porcelain is housed at the Golestan Palace in Tehran. The bowl above is 60cm in diametre, part of a dinner service from Canton possibly for 200-300 guests. The Medalion bears the name of the orderer. Zel Sultan the son of Nasser Din Shah dated 1297 hejri/1901 AD.