West Asia

Bowl Emulating Chinese Stoneware

This bowl was created in the 9th century in what is now Iraq, likely in the city of Basra. It was created to mimic Chinese stoneware frequently traded at the time, and as porcelain was not available, potters' clay  was fired with opaque white glaze to achieve a white, lustrous finish. This form of ceramic ornamentation appeared to be exclusive to Basra, often consisting of  "vegetal, geometric or calligraphic designs ( or combinations of two or more of these)" in cobalt blue paint. In this bowl, we see the word "ghibta", or happiness written twice, arranged geometrically in the center of the bowl. This dish tells a narrative of the influence that Chinese porcelains have had on design and craftsmanship through trade along the silk road. 

Ettinghausen, R. (1975). Islamic Art . New York, NY : Metropolitan Museum of Art .

Ettinghausen, Richard. 2001. Islamic Art and Architecture 650-1250. Yale University Press New Haven.

Bowl with Two Facing Peacocks

Originating in Basra, Iraq, this bowl is an example of monochrome lusterware, a type of pottery that was common and quite widespread, as only one pigment was needed to achieve this style. The presence of figures and animals against a field of dots and dashes are characteristic of monochrome lusterware from Iraq. In this object, there are two peacocks with pluming tail feathers surrounded by dashes and dots. 

Grube, E. J. (1965). The Art of Islamic Pottery . New York, NY: Metropolitan Museum of Art .

Jenkins, M. (1992). Early Medieval Islamic Pottery: The Eleventh Century Reconsidered . Brill, 56-66.

Incantation Bowl 

This dish, which was discovered in Syria, was created in Iraq between the 6th and 8th centuries. Inscribed with 9 lines of pseudoscript mimicking incantations understood to ward off ghosts and spirits believed in indigenous religions in West Asia. The pseudoscript was created for customers who were illiterate and believed in the power of these inscriptions. This bowl provides an understanding of the prevalence of this regional religion and the prevalence of trade of ceramics. 

Scott, A. G. (2007). MAGIC AND INTER-COMMUNAL RELATIONS IN SASANIAN IRAQ. The University of Chicago.

Bowl with Vegetal Motifs 

This bowl is an example of Syrian luster painted pottery, from 12 century Raqqa. This style is characterized by geometric and vegetal designs intricately placed in concentric bands, painted with black and blue pigments, and finished with a colorless glaze. In this object, a vegetal motif is situated in the center, pigmented with black and blue, surrounded by a band of scrolling arabesque designs. Stoneware was used to achieve the white background influenced by Chinese porcelains.

Jenkins, M. (1983). Islamic Pottery: A Brief History . New York, NY: Metropolitan Museum of Art .

Ettinghausen, Richard. 2001. Islamic Art and Architecture 650-1250. Yale University Press New Haven.