What is this?
This is an medieval Islamic ceramic bowl. The images on the curving sides of the interior of the bowl are animals and birds with an iridescent glow, separated into eight symmetrical sections. Animals and birds are highly regarded in Islamic culture and these designs were often seen in ceramics from Rayy, Iran.
The colors consist of metallic lustre and deep blue which were heavily used during this time in Iranian, also known as Persian, ceramic bowls. Lustre beautifully outlines inscriptions and images. This bowl has vertical blue curves outlining the exterior, resembling a petal formation.
Another bowl that has blue along with shining lustre, and is divided into symmetrical sections, is this bowl from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The interior of the MET bowl contains vegetal designs, with delicate flower-like patterns. Both bowls are covered in deep blue dots within the larger designs. The blue pigmentation brings a warmth and deep contrast with the lighter colors used.
