Fragment

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic collection, this unglazed earthenware fragment dates to the 9th–10th century, a era of the Abbasid Caliphate ceramic production flourished across the Islamic world, from Mesopotamia to Persia. As a modest survivor of time, it whispers of the artistry in everyday objects—likely a vessel or tile—crafted by an unknown potter whose skill endures. The medium of glazed earthenware marks a pivotal innovation in Islamic. Applying a glossy glaze not only sealed the porous clay for practical use but also created a luminous surface ideal for intricate ...