Fragment

Unknown Artist

9th century

Fragment by Unknown Artist

Medium

Earthenware; splash glazed

Classification

Ceramics

Department

Islamic Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Wendell M. Hastings, 1960

Accession Number

60.23.47

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Fragment* from the th century exemplifies early Islamic ceramic artistry, hailing from the vibrant workshops of the Abbasid era. As a piece of earthenware adorned with splash glazing, it a pivotal moment in the evolution of pottery in the Islamic world, where potters experimented with bold, colorful techniques to decorate everyday vessels like bowls and tiles. Though only a fragment survives, its presence evokes the bustling markets and refined tastes of medieval Baghdad or Basra, centers of cultural exchange along Silk Road trade routes. The splash glazing technique—where sli...

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