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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 2024-01-29T11:07:39-08:00 Why was this bowl made, and how was it used? 3 plain 2024-02-16T10:54:26-08:00 By: Mary Powell '24

  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. 
  
   

  
  
   
• 1 2024-01-29T11:07:14-08:00 Where did this bowl go? 3 image_header 2024-02-16T10:55:46-08:00 By: 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.