Inkwell with Crosses

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453

This inkwell preserves a small ball inside that was probably used to stir the ink it once held. The color scheme of this object is typical of the buff ware group, but the main decorative motif—a cross-like symbol—is not. The cross may indicate that the object belonged to one of Nishapur's Christians, or it may simply have been a decorative device improvised by the potter.

Inkwell with Crosses, Earthenware; polychrome decoration under transparent glaze (buff ware)

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Inkwell with Crosses, Earthenware; polychrome decoration under transparent glaze (buff ware)
Inkwell with Crosses, Earthenware; polychrome decoration under transparent glaze (buff ware)
Inkwell with Crosses, Earthenware; polychrome decoration under transparent glaze (buff ware)
Inkwell with Crosses, Earthenware; polychrome decoration under transparent glaze (buff ware)
Inkwell with Crosses, Earthenware; polychrome decoration under transparent glaze (buff ware)

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.