Fragment of a Jar
Unknown Artist
9th century
Medium
Earthenware; glazed
Dimensions
H. 2 5/8 in. (6.6 cm) W. 2 11/16 in. (69 cm) D. 3/8 in. (0.9 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Noel E. Baker, 1952
Accession Number
52.130.5
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment of a glazed earthenware jar, dating to the 9th century, offers a glimpse into the vibrant of early Islamic ceramics from the Abbasid era. Produced during a golden age of artistic innovation in the Islamic world—spanning regions like Iraq, Iran, and Syria—this shard likely belonged to a larger vessel used for storing oils, spices, or water in daily life. Its modest dimensions (just over 2.5 inches high and wide) highlight the fragility of such artifacts, preserved as a testament to everyday artistry amid grand caliphal courts. The use of earthenware with a glossy glaze w...