Bowl
Unknown Artist
15th century
Medium
Earthenware; gritty composed body, blue on white decoration under transparent glaze
Dimensions
H. 3 1/8 in. (8 cm) Diam. 10 15/16 in. (27.8 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.26
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant 15th-century earthen bowl from the Islamic world exemplifies the refined ceramic traditions of the medieval Islamic courts. Measuring just over 3 inches high and 11 inches in diameter its wide, shallow form was ideal for serving fruits, sweets, or beverages during communal meals. Crafted from a gritty body typical of regional clays, it features vibrant blue-on-white decoration under transparent glaze—a technique that created a luminous, porcelain-like sheen, evoking luxury despite the humble earthenware medium. The intricate motifs of flowers and leaves adorning its interior refl...