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Bowl with Arabic Inscription

10th century
Not on view
The calligraphic decoration on this bowl reads "Planning before work protects you from regret; prosperity and peace," but the shortening, bending, and elongation of the letters has transformed the words into abstract motifs of tremendous power. With its monumental presence and the artful arrangement of its letters, in which vertical flourishes punctuate the horizontal flow of the words at rhythmic intervals, this bowl stands out among the many other inscribed ceramics of the same period.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bowl with Arabic Inscription
  • Date: 10th century
  • Geography: From Iran, Nishapur
  • Medium: Earthenware; white slip with black-slip decoration under transparent glaze
  • Dimensions: H. 7 in. (17.8 cm)
    Diam. 18 in. (45.7 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1965
  • Object Number: 65.106.2
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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6672. Bowl with Arabic Inscription

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