Fragment

Art Historical Context

This enigmatic *Fragment* from the 14th–15th century exemplifies the exquisite ceramics of the Islamic world, likely originating from Persian workshops during a golden age of artistic innovation. Crafted from stonepaste—a composite of quartz, clay, and frit that mimicked Chinese porcelain's translucency while enabling intricate designs—this piece features underglaze decoration in vibrant turquoise and black, sealed beneath a transparent, colorless glaze. These techniques, perfected in centers like Kashan, produced durable, luminous wares prized for both utility and beauty. The fragment's bold...