Art in an Early Global World at WAM: A WAM/College of the Holy Cross CollaborationMain MenuAmanda Luyster17d39c1ecea88fb7ff282fe74a410b89478b8327Created by the Worcester Art Museum and the College of the Holy Cross, with the Worcester Public Schools AP Art History class of 2024. Financial support provided by the Medieval Academy of America and "Scholarship in Action" at Holy Cross.
WAM 1913.17 Bowl
12024-03-28T13:31:13-07:00Richard Lent3e723f35a685aebf07b8b602f188f085f3fa0c8f448011Lusterware bowl, from Rayy (Iran), thirteenth century. Ceramic (7.9 × 20.3 cm). Worcester Art Museum, 1913.17. Top viewplain2024-03-28T13:31:13-07:00Richard Lent3e723f35a685aebf07b8b602f188f085f3fa0c8f
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12024-03-28T13:30:44-07:00Where did this bowl go?1image_header2024-03-28T13:30:44-07:00By: Mary Powell '24
The exact movement of this specific bowl is unknown. However, similar bowls ended up traveling far from their place of manufacture in Rayy, Iran. In addition, in medieval churches in Pisa, Italy, Islamic bowls from North Africa were built into the architecture, high up on the walls. These Islamic bowls in Pisa seem to have been admired for their color and form, and may also have been used to refer to both the trading and Crusading activities of the Pisan people. After the Crusades, trade increased with European travel and it is very likely the ceramic bowl did not remain in the first pair of hands that purchased or gifted it.
12024-03-28T13:30:59-07:00What is this?1plain2024-03-28T13:30:59-07:00By: Mary Powell '24
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.
This bowl has the dimensions: 4 x 8 1/4 inches. For context, that is about the size of a small bowl. A bowl of this size would have been used for eating smaller meals or snacks such as fruit or nuts. Serving prepared food in these types of bowls were the most common. Bowls of this design of curved walls are typical for this period.