Small Millefiori Bowl

9th century

Not on view

The millefiori technique was rediscovered in the eighth or ninth century in Mesopotamia and was probably used in the production of objects for the ‘Abbasid caliphs in Baghdad or Samarra. A number of surviving bowls and tiles suggest that it was used both for domestic furnishings and interior decoration. The small size of this bowl suggests that this shallow object was meant to be embossed in a plaster wall.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Small Millefiori Bowl
Date: 9th century
Geography: Probably made in Iraq, probably Samarra
Medium: Glass, blue and opaque white mosaic; fused and slumped, probably ground and polished, applied disk foot
Dimensions: H. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)
Gr. W. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
L. 3 in. (7.6 cm)
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art, 1990
Object Number: 1990.185
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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