Jar
Unknown Artist
8th–10th century
Medium
Earthenware; glazed
Dimensions
H. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm) Diam. 1 15/16 in. (4.9 cm) Wt. 1.9 oz. (53.9 g)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1932
Accession Number
32.150.109
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate earthenware jar, crafted by an unknown artist between the th and 10th, exemplifies the refined ceramic traditions of the early Islamic world. Standing just over 2 inches tall with a diameter of nearly 2 inches, its petite scale suggests it may have held precious commodities like cosmetics, spices, or k eyeliner—everyday luxuries in Abbasid-era households. The glossy glaze, a hallmark of Islamic pottery, not only sealed the porous earthenware for practical use but also enhanced its aesthetic appeal, reflecting light in a way that mimicked more precious metals. Glazed ceramics lik...