Fragment of a Bowl
This piece is likely an unfinished object and an important document demonstrating how potters manufactured ceramics in Abbasid period Iraq. Undocumented provenance records for this piece state that it was found in a potter’s kiln in "old" Basra, together with elements of kiln furniture, glass residue, and other ceramics. The bowl’s unglazed surface was decorated with two alternating colors in radiating strokes, but it was not fully glazed and refired. Investigation of the materiality of the colored strokes revealed that previously fired frits (fused glass) were used to paint directly onto the ceramic body.
Artwork Details
- Title: Fragment of a Bowl
- Date: 9th century
- Geography: Found Iraq, Basra
- Medium: Earthenware; white slip with glazed decoration
- Dimensions: H. 1 15/16 in. (5 cm)
W. 5 3/16 in. (13.1 cm)
D. 4 3/16 in. (10.7 cm)
Th. 3/16 in. (0.4 cm) - Classification: Ceramics
- Credit Line: Gift of Noel E. Baker, 1952
- Object Number: 52.130.2
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
9th century
second–third quarter 10th century
9th century
9th century
second half 10th century
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.