Bowl

Art Historical Context

This elegant earthenware bowl, crafted an unknown artist in the 9th to early 10th century exemplifies the refined ceramics of the Islamic world during the Abbasid era. Measuring just under 3 inches high and nearly 10 inches across, its wide, shallow form was ideal for serving fruits, sweets, or beverages at communal meals, reflecting the hospitality central to Islamic culture. The bowl's surface features a white slip base— a creamy engobe applied over the clay—adorned with bold black slip decoration of birds, then sealed under a transparent glaze that lends a subtle sheen and protects the vibr...