**First Time At Auction**

Near East, Persia (Iran), Nishapur area, ca. late 10th century to early 13th century CE. A splendid pottery bowl presenting conical walls that gently curve inwards to a circular rim, all sitting upon a pedestal foot. Boasting a lustrous glaze of cobalt and black atop a cream-hued ground, the interior of the vessel is divided into 4 sections of lattice motif, while a vertically striated border adorns the interior and exterior of the rim. A series of 8 pairs of black lines extend from the exterior of the base to the shoulder in a starburst-like design. Note the stunning rainbow-hued iridescence that sparkles across the vessel's surface, nicely complementing its elegant form! Size: 6.375" in diameter x 3.125" H (16.2 cm x 7.9 cm)

Nishapur was a center of politics and culture in medieval Persia, and their pottery is some of the most unique and beautiful in history. These turquoise items are the result of technological innovation at the end of the 10th century. The body of this bowl 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 was used to create the underglaze design. 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 New York, New York, USA collection, acquired 1990s

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#165706

Repaired from several pieces with restoration over break lines. Nicks to base and fading to glaze. Otherwise, excellent with gorgeous iridescence.