Slip Painted Earthenware Jug - AMD.169, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 6.1" (15.5cm) high x 5.7" (14.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Earthenware, Condition: Extra Fine. The eastern Iranian slipwares to which category this jug belongs, were first collected from the old city of Samarqand, and were identified as Afrasiyab pottery; later the American excavations at Nishapur discovered similar types, and this site became the focus of attention. The East Iranian slip tradition was underway by the end of the 9th century and declined into the 11th century. The ambiguity of sparse archeological data undermines conclusions previously made about the various styles and quality of decoration found in this genre but probably at the heart of it was the existence of differentiated commercial markets and social groupings each with their own ideological and cultural backgrounds, for which supplies were commissioned.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East