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Pot with lid and inscriptions

Unknownlate 12th century

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Lisboa, Portugal

The vase with cover is painted with blue medallions under a transparent glaze and decorated with lustre painting. It is an exceptional piece for two reasons: vases with this spherical form are rare, spherical vases with their covers are rarer still. Horizontally divided sections on the body are decorated with inscriptions and pseudo-inscriptions in florid Kufic script (angular) on a white ground. The inscriptions are interrupted by circular medallions containing floral motifs and scrolls. The cover has the same decorative scheme as the body.
In decorative terms, this piece has features that appear in other pieces from Raqqa, where inscriptions and pseudo-inscriptions combine with floral decorations. The dark brown of the lustre painting is also typical of this ceramic-producing centre, which did not survive the Mongol invasions in 1259.

Details

  • Title: Pot with lid and inscriptions
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date Created: late 12th century
  • Location Created: Syria, Raqqa
  • Physical Dimensions: H. 26 x Diam. 27.7 cm
  • Medium: Lustre painted ceramic

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