Fragment of a Bowl

Art Historical Context

This delicate fragment from a bowl, dating to the 12th–13th century, offers a glimpse into the refined world of Islamic ceramics. Crafted from earthenware and adorned with a glossy glaze and luster-painting it once formed part of a larger vessel, likely used for everyday dining or ceremonial purposes in the bustling courts and households of the medieval Islamic world, possibly under Seljuk influence in regions like Iran or Iraq. Lusterware, the standout technique here, was a marvel of its time. Artisans applied metallic oxides over a glazed surface, then fired the piece in a reducing atmosphe...