Fragment of a Bowl
Unknown Artist
10th–12th century
Medium
Stonepaste; luster-painted
Dimensions
Gr. H. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm) Gr. W. 3 11/16 in. (9.4 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1975
Accession Number
1975.31.8
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite fragment of a bowl, dating from the 10th to 12th century, hails from the Islamic world and showcases the pinnacle of medieval ceramic innovation. Crafted in stonepaste—a composite material of quartz, clay, and frit that allowed artisans to create a fine, porcelain-like body—this piece measures just 3 1/8 inches high and 3 11/16 inches wide. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Art Department (acquired via the Fletcher Fund in 197), it survives as a testament to the era's technical mastery and aesthetic refinement. The standout feature is its luster-painting technique,...