Islamic Bowl

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Bowl with monochrome luster decoration. The design shows an antelope confronting a long-tailed bird on a background of small chevrons. The kufic inscription on the body of the antelope says: “blessing to its owner.“ Above the antelope, the artist inscribed his name: “work of ‘Ali.“ In the middle of the glazed foot, the word Baraka (blessing) is rendered in kufic script. The initially abstract design style of the Abbasid luster wares developed in the 10th century and particularly in Iraq into a new decorative approach with animal designs. These are usually set on a stippled background. By this time, potters had abandoned polychrome painting in favor of monochrome luster. Here, a single animal or a symmetrical pair was at the center of the design. The change of style may reflect the taste of the new elite formed when the Buyids arrived in Iraq.

Iraq, Basra, 10th century / Earthenware, luster paint on opaque white glaze / H: 6 cm; Diam.: 22 cm