Bowl
Unknown Artist
10th century
Medium
Earthenware; white slip, brown slip decoration, sgraffito decoration, glazed
Dimensions
H. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm) Diam. 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm) Wt. 7.5 oz. (212.6 g)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Wolfe, 1965
Accession Number
65.270.5
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 10th-century earthen bowl from the Islamic world showcases the ingenuity of medieval ceramicists. Crafted with a white slip base and intricate brown slip decoration, the surface features sgraffito—a technique where artists scratched through the top layer to reveal contrasting colors beneath—before applying a glossy glaze for durability and shine. Delicate bird motifs, likely symbolizing grace or paradise gardens in Islamic iconography, enliven its shallow form, measuring just 2½ inches high and 6⅝ inches in diameter. In the vibrant tradition of Islamic ceramics, such bowls were...