Bowl thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Islamic Middle East, Room 42, The Jameel Gallery

Bowl

10th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Iran (made)
Uzbekistan (made)

The decoration on this large dish is inspired by a metalwork technique known as niello. It imitates silver inlaid with black inscriptions. The potter covered the earthenware body with slip (liquid clay) to create a white ground for a contrasting inscription in Arabic in black slip. As on many Islamic dishes, the inscription offers good wishes for the owner.

This distinctive ceramic tradition developed in eastern Iran from the 10th century. Potters took inspiration from indigenous metalwork and applied the decoration in slip of contrasting colours.


Object details

Category
Ceramics
Object type
Bowl
Materials and techniques
Earthenware, decorated with black slip on a white slip ground
Earthenware
Slip
Decoration (Process)
Brief description
Earthenware bowl decorated with a black slip inscription in an exaggerated calligraphic style on a white slip ground, Eastern Iran or Uzbekistan, ca. 900-1000.
Physical description
Earthenware bowl decorated with a black slip inscription in an exaggerated calligraphic style on a white slip ground
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 37.7cm
  • Height: 4.6cm
Style
Islamic
Gallery label
  • Jameel Gallery 11–13 Dishes with Arabic Inscriptions Eastern Iran or Uzbekistan 900–1000 The text on the small dish was carefully executed in thick, black slip. It offers good wishes for the owner. The spiky inscription on the large dish probably has a similar meaning, but it is more ornament than text. The decoration on the inner walls of the bowl is also based on an inscription, but it has been turned into a purely decorative design. Earthenware with slip decoration under a transparent glaze Museum nos. C.47-1952, Purchased with the assistance of the National Art Collections Fund and the Bryan Bequest; C.909-1935; C.47-1964, Given in memory of Arthur Lane(2006)
  • DISH Earthenware, with decoration in black slip on a white slip ground EASTERN PERSIA (Nishapur or Samarqand); 10th century The decoration consists of an inscription in an exaggerated calligraphic style(Used until 11/2003)
Summary
The decoration on this large dish is inspired by a metalwork technique known as niello. It imitates silver inlaid with black inscriptions. The potter covered the earthenware body with slip (liquid clay) to create a white ground for a contrasting inscription in Arabic in black slip. As on many Islamic dishes, the inscription offers good wishes for the owner.

This distinctive ceramic tradition developed in eastern Iran from the 10th century. Potters took inspiration from indigenous metalwork and applied the decoration in slip of contrasting colours.
Collection
Middle East Section
Accession number
C.47-1964

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 4, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O86742/bowl-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest