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• 1 2024-01-29T11:07:27-08:00 What is this? 3 plain 2024-02-16T10:53:45-08:00 By: 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.

  
   
• 1 2024-01-29T11:07:09-08:00 How was this bowl made? 3 plain 2024-02-16T10:54:42-08:00

  By: Mary Powell '24
  
  Ceramic bowls are made from clay. Sometimes pebbles or sand were used, along with glass fragments. When these ingredients were mixed together, they formed a very hard paste that was a perfect base layer for these Islamic ceramics. When making more refined ceramics, fancy glazes such as iridescent lustreware were used for detailing. At this time, the underglaze color was oftentimes a blue or turquoise, topped with lustreware. 

  
  Other examples of ceramics that underwent a similar process of production from the ancient city Rayy, Iran, include the WAM 1918.18 bowl and a bowl from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
  
  WAM 1918.18 Bowl
  Metropolitan Museum of Art