Slip-Painted Nishapur Bowl - X.0651, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 900 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 7.875" (20.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Nishapur Ware, Medium: Earthenware, This exceptional bowl is made of earthenware and features a red slip ground with black, and white slip painted decoration. The central scrolling motif is within a large six pointed star that covers the majority of the bowl. Throughout the remaining space, unusual stylized leaves and foliage are highlighted by the use of “yellow staining” black pigment that exudes its golden hues under firing. The entire bowl would have been under a transparent glaze. The beautiful contrast of the colors gives the effect of a bejeweled masterpiece replete with gold gilding. The Khalili collection has a large bowl which it attributes to the production centers of Samarqand and Transoxiana. The bowl has a somewhat similar geometric shape at the heart of its central medallion. (Earnst J. Grube, Cobalt and Lustre, Bowl 109. Accession No. POT805).

Antiquities
Ancient Near East