Ceramic Bowl Inscribed with "'Izz" ("Glory")

Art Historical Context

This shallow ceramic bowl draws the eye with its radiating design, centered on a round medallion filled with geometric and stylized floral motifs. Eight wedge-shaped panels alternate between intricate Arabic calligraphy and dense patterns of small dots or latticework, all in warm brownish tones with touches of turquoise blue that accent the divisions. The surface carries the subtle metallic sheen of luster painting over a pale ground, creating a rich, reflective effect that catches the light. Created in the twelfth century from stonepaste and finished with underglaze and luster techniques, the bowl is inscribed with the Arabic word “‘Izz,” meaning “Glory.” Such vessels were prized in medieval Islamic societies for both their beauty and their auspicious messages. Today it stands as a fine example of the refined ceramic traditions preserved in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection, inviting visitors to appreciate the skill and meaning embedded in everyday objects of the period.