Bowl with Central Pentagon Motifs

Art Historical Context

This striking bowl draws the eye first to its central pentagon motif, rendered in deep cobalt blue with delicate internal patterns. Concentric rings of geometric and interlaced designs radiate outward, incorporating turquoise accents and touches of white against a pale ground. The rim is finished with a repeating border of blue and turquoise, all unified beneath a smooth, transparent glaze that enhances the stonepaste surface. Created in the fourteenth century by an unknown artist, the work belongs to the rich tradition of Islamic ceramics. Its polychrome decoration, painted under the glaze, reflects the period’s mastery of intricate geometric and calligraphic ornament. Such vessels were valued both for daily use and as objects of beauty, showcasing the technical and aesthetic achievements of Islamic art. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1971 through the Friends of the Department of Islamic Art Fund, this bowl offers visitors a tangible connection to the refined ceramic practices of its time.