Jar

Art Historical Context

This earthenware jar presents a simple, functional form with a rounded, bulbous body that tapers upward to a narrower neck and flares into a wide, open mouth. single sturdy handle curves from the shoulder to the rim, while the surface shows a pale, matte finish with faint horizontal ridges and a slightly textured appearance from the slip covering. No decorative motifs appear, allowing the vessel’s natural clay tones and wheel-thrown lines to stand out against a plain background. Catalogued as the work of an unknown artist and dated to the 8th–early 9th century, this piece belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Islamic Art. Made of earthenware that was slip-covered yet left unglazed, it reflects the straightforward techniques and practical shapes favored in early Islamic ceramic production. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1938, the jar offers visitors a direct glimpse into the everyday artistry of that era.