How was this made?
To achieve the unique, ornate design the potter would have used the sgraffito technique. Byzantine potters were masters of the sgraffito technique, as seen in our bowl. The sgraffito technique was developed by Middle Eastern and Muslim potters. The sgrafitto technique is when a white slip would have been laid down first on the shaped clay, then the design would be scraped into the slip, and finally a monochromatic glaze (green in this case) would be painted over it which would reveal the dark line work of the design and figure. The same technique was used to make the design on the outside of the bowl; however, a darker glaze was put on it. After firing in the kiln, the product would have a beautiful shine and bright green color.
The sgraffito technique was not only important to the design of the bowl but also tells us more about what locations of the Byzantine world that were producing these ceramics. The sgraffito technique appearing alone on a ceramic bowl was distinct and allows scholars to hone in more specifically to the place different groups of Byzantine ceramics were made.