Bringing the Holy Land Home: The Crusades, Chertsey Abbey, and the Reconstruction of a Medieval Masterpiece

Why was this made, and how was it used?

Ceramic wares were generally made to be used to store and cook food. However, in the Mediterranean making ceramic bowls became an artform with the utilization of the technique, sgraffito. The sgraffito technique was developed by Muslim potters to highly decorate ceramic ware with intricate designs as seen on this bowl with a harpy on it. Learn more about the sgraffito teachnique here. Highly decorated ceramics were more likely to be used as decoration and for special occasions. 

This ceramic bowl is distinct in its unique iconography. The harpy on this bowl, and other examples, would be recognized in the Eastern Mediterranean as a symbol of health, happiness and prosperity. This harpy, however, is crowned with a three-pointed crown. The courtly status of the harpy was recognized due to the creatures history of victory and glory. The crowned harpy was associated with higher class and seen as a symbol of those who were the bringers of food and drink. Due to this elevated status, this bowl was probably be gifted to a person of significance, like someone of the courts. 
 
 
 

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