Plate with Calligraphic Decoration

10th century

Not on view

The elegant kufic calligraphy on this plate demonstrates how calligraphy alone can be used to achieve a strong visual effect. The contrast between black letters and opaque white ground intensifies the impact of the simply yet elegant decoration. The Arabic inscription, the beginning and end of which are indicated by a bell-shaped design, is a phrase that was used on other pottery from Nishapur: "Knowledge is an ornament to youth and intelligence is a crown of gold in paradise. Blessing." Pottery with such phrases serves as a compendium of Arabic proverbs from this period.

Artwork Details

Title: Plate with Calligraphic Decoration
Date: 10th century
Geography: Attributed to Iran, Nishapur
Medium: Earthenware; white slip with black slip decoration under transparent glaze
Dimensions: H. 1 1/2 in (3/8 cm)
Diam. 12 in. (30.5 cm)
Wt. 25.1 oz (711.7 g)
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1967
Object Number: 67.178.2
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

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

Lantern for a Lamp, Earthenware; carved decoration, unglazed — Lantern for a Lamp
9th–10th century

Bowl with Inscription, "Sovereignty is God's", Earthenware; white slip with black slip decoration under transparent glaze — Bowl with Inscription, "Sovereignty is God's"
late 9th–early 10th century

Bowl with Arabic Inscription, Earthenware; white slip with black-slip decoration under transparent glaze — Bowl with Arabic Inscription
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.