Ancient Near East / Western Asia, Persia (Iran), Nishapur area, ca. late 10th century to early 13th century CE. An incredible, exceptionally well preserved mold-made ceramic pitcher covered with a thick, turquoise glaze. The glaze covers all but the foot, which is a diminutive raised disc. The rest of the body is pear-shaped with a corseted neck and a slightly flared mouth with unpronounced rim. A regal strap handle travels via a ninety degree angle from the rim to the lower body. Bold manganese black vertical lines decorate the exterior of the vessel and interior of the mouth. Age has given the glaze a gorgeous rainbow iridescence. Size: 4.95" W x 7.75" H (12.6 cm x 19.7 cm)
Nishapur was a center of politics and culture in medieval Persia, and their pottery is some of the most unique and beautiful we see from this time period. These turquoise items are the result of technological innovation at the end of the 10th century. The body of this vessel and others of its style is made of finely ground quartz mixed with clay; this created a white surface on which the artists could paint designs directly. The glaze is alkaline, with a copper base to give it its color, and would be poured over the clay. Manganese creates the vertical black bands visible in some parts of the surface. These pieces may have been inspired by the blue and white glazed pottery that travelled the Silk Road from Tang Dynasty China, but the end result here is clearly not just an imitation, but an entirely different, radical style developed in Nishapur.
Provenance: private California, USA collection, by descent, moved from Germany in 1997, originally collected in the 1970s in Hamburg, Germany
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#155963
Condition
Intact with gorgeous craquelure, deposits, and rainbow iridescence.