Figurine of a Bovine
Unknown Artist
12th century
Medium
Stonepaste; transparent turquoise glaze (iridized)
Dimensions
H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915
Accession Number
30.95.154
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming figurine of a bovine, just 3½ inches tall, exemplifies the exquisite ceramic artistry of 12th-century Islamic workshops. Crafted from stonepaste—a composite material of quartz, clay, and frit that mimics porcelain's translucency and strength—it features a transparent turquoise glaze with an iridescent sheen This innovative technique, perfected during the Seljuk era in regions like Iran and Syria, allowed artisans to achieve vibrant colors and a luminous quality that catches the light like a rainbow. Animal figurines like this one were popular in Islamic art, often symbolizing vi...