Fragment of a Bowl or Cup
Unknown Artist
13th–16th century
Medium
Stonepaste; painted under transparent glaze
Dimensions
H. 5/8 in. (1.6 cm) W. 2 5/16 in. (5.9 cm) D. 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm) Wt. 0.9 oz. ( 25.517 g)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Jack A. Josephson, 1973
Accession Number
1973.79.23
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment from a bowl or cup, dating to the 13th–16th century, offers a glimpse into the refined world of Islamic ceramics. Crafted in the Islamic heartlands—likely regions like Iran or Syria—this small piece (just 5/8 inch high) survived centuries to enter the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection as a gift from Jack A. Josephson in 1973. Such vessels were everyday luxuries, used for serving food or drink in affluent households, blending utility with artistry. The medium, stonepaste (also called fritware), represents a brilliant Islamic innovation around the 12th c...