ticketsMember | Make a donation

Imported Luster Bowl

10th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453
This luster ware bowl represents just one of the ceramic types from Iraq that was found in Nishapur. Its true metallic sheen—derived from a technique not known to Nishapuri potters—confirms that it was made in Iraq, and its single color dates it to the tenth century. Together with other examples, this bowl is evidence of the active trade between the two regions once Nishapur was incorporated into the Abbasid empire in the eighth century. It does not appear that Nishapur ceramics were very popular in the west, though; they only seem to have traveled in the immediate vicinity of Samarqand, Herat, and Merv, and perhaps to Kirman in southeastern Iran.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Imported Luster Bowl
  • Date: 10th century
  • Geography: Made in Iraq. Excavated in Iran, Nishapur
  • Medium: Earthenware; luster-painted on an opaque white glaze
  • Dimensions: H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
    Diam. 4 5/8 in. (11.8 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1940
  • Object Number: 40.170.27
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Bowl Emulating Chinese Stoneware, Earthenware; painted in blue on opaque white glaze
Bowl Emulating Chinese Stoneware
9th century
Bowl with Green, Yellow, and Brown Splashed Decoration, Earthenware; white slip, incised and splashed with polychrome glazes under transparent glaze (sgraffito ware)
Bowl with Green, Yellow, and Brown Splashed Decoration
10th century
Animal-Spouted Pitcher, Earthenware; polychrome decoration under transparent glaze (buff ware)
Animal-Spouted Pitcher
9th–10th century
Three-color Luster Bowl with Stylized Tree , Earthenware; polychrome luster-painted on opaque white glaze

Three-color Luster Bowl with Stylized Tree

9th century
Luster Bowl with Four Camels, Earthenware; luster-painted on opaque white glaze
Luster Bowl with Four Camels
10th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.