Ewer Inscribed with "al-'izz" ("Glory") in Floriated Kufic on its Neck

Art Historical Context

This elegant ewer, crafted in the first half of the 13 century, exemplifies the pinnacle of medieval Islamic ceramics. Made from stonepaste—a composite material of quartz, clay, and frit that allowed artisans to create porcelain-like vessels—it stands just over 7 inches tall with a graceful neck and bulbous body. The surface is adorned with an opaque white glaze overpainted in shimmering luster and cobalt blue, then sealed under a transparent glaze. This lusterware technique, developed in the Islamic world around the 9th century and perfected in centers like Iran and Syria, produced a metallic...