Bowl
Unknown Artist
9th–10th century
Medium
Earthenware; glazed
Dimensions
H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm) Diam. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm) Wt. 14.4 oz. (408.3 g)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1933
Accession Number
33.175.49
Art Historical Context
This elegant earthenware bowl, dating to the 9th–10th century, exemplifies the refined ceramic artistry of the early Islamic world. Crafted during the Abbasid Caliphate's golden age, when Baghdad was a bustling hub of culture and trade, the bowl measures just 2¾ inches (7 cm) in height and 7½ inches (19.1 cm) in diameter, with a sturdy weight of 14.4 oz. (408.3 g). Its glazed surface—likely a vibrant turquoise or monochrome typical of the era—protected the fragile earthenware while adding a luxurious sheen, making everyday vessels like this both functional and beautiful. Glazed ceramics repre...