Cabinet J: Shelf 3
Art of Islam
The millennium between the seventh and the seventeenth centuries marked the zenith of Islamic art and saw the creation of distinctive visual cultural forms as Islam was embraced by peoples of diverse ethno-linguistic backgrounds, ranging from Morocco and Spain on the Atlantic coast to Indonesia in Southeast Asia and from sub-Saharan Africa to Siberia.
In particular, during the rise of the Abbasid caliphate (749–1258) in a climate of political stability and prosperity, Islamic ceramics blossomed. Drawing on the influence of imported Chinese wares as well as local developments in metalware, craftsmen developed a wide range of techniques for making ceramics for both domestic use and architectural decoration. Many of the plates and vessels in the Museum’s collection are of a type called fritware. Invented in the twelfth century, fritware was an Islamic response to Chinese porcelain: by combining ground quartz with small amounts of white glaze, Middle Eastern potters were able to produce a thin-bodied, hard and durable white ware. Fritware provided an ideal surface for various painting techniques, including lustreware, underglaze painting, and overglaze enamels, all on display here (please see individual object descriptions). Also exhibited in this case is a selection of metalware. In the twelfth century, a new style of metalware emerged, where the surfaces of cast bronze objects were densely decorated in copper, gold, and silver inlays. Stunning examples of this can be seen in the two large candlesticks decorated with inscriptions and geometric patterns.
Syrian
Two-handled bowl
earthenware with turquoise glaze and black decoration
4 3/8 in x 6 1/8 in x 6 1/8 in (11.1 cm x 15.56 cm x 15.56 cm)
Transfer from the College of Architecture and Design
Iranian
Footed Bowl with painted design of birds
buff earthenware with underglaze iron painting
5 3/4 in x 11 1/4 in x 11 1/4 in (14.61 cm x 28.58 cm x 28.58 cm);6 3/4 in (17.15 cm);17 1/2 in (44.45 cm);13 3/4 in (34.93 cm)
Museum Purchase
Syrian
Globular jar
fritware with turquoise glaze
7 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in (19.05 cm x 21.59 cm x 21.59 cm);8 3/4 in (22.23 cm);11 1/4 in (28.58 cm);11 1/4 in (28.58 cm)
Transfer from the College of Architecture and Design
Syrian
Pitcher
earthenware with turquoise and green glaze
8 5/8 in x 4 1/4 in x 4 1/4 in (21.91 cm x 10.8 cm x 10.8 cm);10 in (25.4 cm);6 3/4 in (17.15 cm);7 in (17.78 cm)
Transfer from the College of Architecture and Design
Syrian
Covered vase
fritware with turquoise glaze
5 ¾ in x 4 ¼ in x 4 ¼ in (14.61 cm x 10.8 cm x 10.8 cm);5 ¾ in (14.61 cm);6 ½ in (16.51 cm);5 ¾ in (14.61 cm)
Transfer from the College of Architecture and Design
Iranian
Shallow open box with three compartments, adorned with women's faces
earthenware with blue and black underglaze painting
3 1/16 in. x 7 15/16 in. x 9 11/16 in. ( 7.7 cm x 20.1 cm x 24.6 cm )
Museum Purchase
Iranian
Black bowl with blue geometric design
black lusterware with overglaze blue enamel (?)
5 3/4 in. x 11 3/4 in. x 11 3/4 in. ( 14.61 cm x 29.85 cm x 29.85 cm )
Transfer from the College of Architecture and Design
Iranian
Bowl with painted petal design on exterior
earthenware with glaze
3 15/16 in. x 8 7/8 in. x 8 7/8 in. ( 10 cm x 22.5 cm x 22.5 cm )
Museum Purchase