Bottle with Bulb-Shaped Neck

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 12th-century bottle from the Islamic world showcases the pinnacle of medieval ceramic artistry. Standing 13 inches tall with a distinctive bulb-shaped neck and a diameter of 7½ inches, it was crafted from stonepaste—a composite material of quartz, clay, and frit that allowed artisans to create thin, porcelain-like bodies resilient to the region's arid climate. The bottle's surface is adorned with luster-painting on an opaque monochrome glaze, a sophisticated technique where metallic oxides were applied over the fired glaze and reheated in a low-oxygen kiln to produce a shimmerin...