Earthenware Lantern

9th–10th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 452

Found at the site of Sabz Pushan, a thriving residential neighborhood during the 9th and 12th centuries, this lantern is made from reddish earthenware that is covered with a green slip. Its slightly grooved cylindrical body is tapered slightly toward its flat base. It has a sloped shoulder and a conical top that is surmounted by a horizontally ridged shank and a ring handle which is grooved along its rim. The base of the handle is pierced with two ventilating holes. Three groups of three elongated oval-shaped perforations pierce the upper side walls of each side of the lantern which would produce a series of pleasing reflections when an oil-based light source in the lantern was lit. This object is one of many objects excavated at Nishapur, Iran in 1937 and was acquired by the Museum through a division of finds with the Iranian government.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Earthenware Lantern
Date: 9th–10th century
Geography: Excavated in Iran, Nishapur
Medium: Earthenware; slip covered, unglazed
Dimensions: H. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm)
Diam. 4 5/16 in. (11 cm)
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1940
Object Number: 40.170.296
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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

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