Near East / Western Asia, Persia (Iran), Nishapur area, ca. 9th century to early 13th century CE. A large, symmetrical vessel with a bulbous body, round disc foot, and narrow, cylindrical neck ending in a slightly bulging rim. Two wide strap handles with spikes on them rise from the rounded shoulder to meet the neck. Applied discs and spikes decorate the neck and shoulder of the vessel. 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. Size: 6.85" W x 10" H (17.4 cm x 25.4 cm)

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 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 California, USA collection

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#135213

Repaired at neck with a few small chips and nicks to rim and foot. Excellent craquelure on surface with some light encrustation.