Bowl
Unknown Artist
11th–12th century
Medium
Stonepaste; incised and glazed
Dimensions
H. 3 in. (7.6 cm) Diam. 12 3/8 in. (31.4 cm) Wt. 29.9 oz. (847.7 g)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Charles K. and Irma B. Wilkinson, 1977
Accession Number
1977.392.1
Art Historical Context
This elegant stonepaste bowl from the 11th–12th century the pinnacle of Islamic ceramic artistry during the medieval Islamic world, likely produced in regions like Persia or Syria under Seljuk patronage. Crafted from stonepaste—a composite of quartz, clay, and frit fired to mimic the translucency of Chinese porcelain medium was a groundbreaking innovation. It allowed artisans to create durable, high-quality vessels that surpassed earlier earthenware, reflecting the era's vibrant trade networks and technological exchange along the Silk Road. The bowl's surface features incised decoration, a te...