This piece is a small bowl or large beaker. A glass worker made it of clear glass and decorated it in brown lustre. A double contour line marks the top and bottom of the walls.The space between is divided into ten vertical panels. These alternate between a wider panel decorated with a single teardrop, and a narrower panel containing a double spiral of scrollwork. The domed base is decorated with a single flower. There are several similar bowls of this type, and experts generally think that they were probably been made in Egypt, where one was found. They date them to the 11th or 12th century, when the country was ruled by the Fatimid dynasty (969-1171).
Physical description
This small bowl or large beaker is made of clear glass and decorated in brown lustre. The walls are defined top and bottom by a double contour line. The space between is divided into ten vertical panels, which alternate between a wider panel containing a single teardrop motif, and a narrower panel containing a double spiral of scrollwork. The domed base is decorated with a single flower. Bottom has pontil mark and does not stand properly. The walls of the vessel are thicker than most other lustre-painted vessels and may be indicative of its later date.
Place of Origin
Egypt (possibly, made)
Date
1000-1200 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Transparent glass, with lustre-painted decoration
Dimensions
Height: 7.7 cm, Width: 12.9 cm maximum
Object history note
Bought from Spink LTD (with C-23-29 and C24-1932) for £420.00.
Historical context note
The last phase of painting with stains, usually attributed to Fatimid Egypt, is characterized by a restrained monochrome decoration applied only on the exterior surface. It shares a similar decorative program and thickness of glass with an example in the British Museum OA2902.5-17.2.
Descriptive line
Lustre glass cup, Egypt, 1000-1200.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Ashton, A.L.B., "Three new glass vessels painted in lustre," Burlington Magazine, LX, 1932, 293-4, Plate A.
Labels and date
Lustre painting is applied after the vessel is finished, and the lustre is fixed by firing in a small reducing kiln. The technique deposits a thin layer of metallic copper and silver, which gives mother-of-pearl reflections or a variety of brilliant greens and golds.
Lustre Glass Cups
Syria and Egypt
700-800 and 1000-1200
Lustre pigments were first used on glass vessels such as these. The cup with a vine scroll, which predates the production of lustre ceramics, was decorated with brown and yellow pigments inside and out. Only one tone was used on the other cup, which is contemporary with the lustre jar and bowl from Cairo.
Glass stained with lustre pigments
Museum nos. C.24, 23-1932 [Jameel Gallery]
Materials
Glass
Techniques
Lustre
Categories
Islam; Africa
Collection code
MES
