Lustreware Bowl (WAM 1913.17)
This small metallic bowl is exemplary of Islamic ceramics that widely circulated during and after the Crusades. The metallic "lustre" technique was unique to Rayy (modern day Tehran) and visually striking at a considerably lower cost than things like silver or gold metalwork. Ceramics such as this were commonly traded from local craftsmen to travelers or crusaders to bring home as an exotic new practical piece of dish ware.