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Bowl with Pseudo-inscription

13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454
Typically formatted concentrically, the decoration of Syrian black‑and‑blue underglaze‑painted pieces often features pseudo‑inscriptions. Here, the repeated letters, alif‑lam, around a circular band against a vegetal scroll, are not merely a decorative device or reflection of a potter’s illiteracy. This letter combination held religious significance and appears to have been endowed with magical or talismanic properties.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bowl with Pseudo-inscription
  • Date: 13th century
  • Geography: Made in Syria
  • Medium: Stonepaste; polychrome painted under transparent glaze
  • Dimensions: H. 2 13/16 in. (7.1 cm)
    Diam. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1908
  • Object Number: 08.102.4
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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Pyxis (Cylindrical Container), Stonepaste; luster-painted on incised, opaque white glaze
Pyxis (Cylindrical Container)
late 11th–early 12th century
Luster Bowl with Winged Horse, Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque monochrome glaze
Luster Bowl with Winged Horse
late 12th century
Bowl, Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque white glaze
Bowl
late 11th–early 12th century
"Tell Minis" Bowl with Vegetal Scroll, Stonepaste; luster-painted on transparent glaze
"Tell Minis" Bowl with Vegetal Scroll
mid-12th century
Bowl with Central Pentagon Motifs, Stonepaste; polychrome painted under transparent glaze
Bowl with Central Pentagon Motifs
14th century

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