Philosophy of the Tent:

The best decorating and design takes inspiration from what was once done before. Whether it is in architecture, antiques, art, it all stems from a mix of inspiration and knowledge. I believe it is a duty to pass on and share the knowledge, and by no means do I think I have great knowledge, in fact the more I know the less I know.
This blog is a way not to forget what I have learned and what was kindly passed onto to me by a great many fascinating people. I thank you all.


Monday 23 June 2014

Islamic Ceramic Bowls

With the holy month of Ramadan approaching fast, here are a few examples of  9th to early 13th Century Islamic ceramic bowls. Thousands of year back in time and yet they have something of the Arts and Crafts movement, a little Neisha Crosland with a hint of the Bloomsbury Group and Lucienne Day about them, see if you agree

Bowl Iran, Nishapur or Turkestan, Afrasiyab Bowl, 10th century Ceramic; Vessel, Earthenware, underglaze slip-painted, 2 3/4 x 7 3/4 in. (6.99 x 19.69 cm) The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection, gift of Joan Palevsky (M.73.5.186) Art of the Middle East: Islamic Department.

Bowl Iran, Nishapur or Turkestan, Afrasiyab Bowl, 10th century Ceramic; Vessel, Earthenware, underglaze slip-painted, 2 3/4 x 7 3/4 in. (6.99 x 19.69 cm) The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection, gift of Joan Palevsky (M.73.5.186) Art of the Middle East: Islamic Department.

Bowl Iran Bowl, 9th-10th century Ceramic; Vessel, Earthenware, tin-glazed and stain painted, 2 1/2 x 8 in. (6.35 x 20.32 cm) The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection, gift of Joan Palevsky (M.73.5.133) Art of the Middle East: Islamic Department.

Bowl Iran Bowl, 9th-10th century Ceramic; Vessel, Earthenware, tin-glazed and stain painted, 2 1/2 x 8 in. (6.35 x 20.32 cm) The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection, gift of Joan Palevsky (M.73.5.133) Art of the Middle East: Islamic Department.


Bowl inscribed with sayings of the Prophet Muhammad and Ali ibn Abi Talib, Uzbekistan - In Harmony: The Norma Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art

Bowl inscribed with sayings of the Prophet Muhammad and ʿAli ibn Abi Talib
Uzbekistan, Samarkand, Samanid period, 10th century
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum

<Mina&#39;i> bowl with abstract pattern

                    Bowl, second half 12th–early 13th century, Iran
Stonepaste; polychrome inglaze and overglaze painted on opaque monochrome glaze (mina'i)
from The Metropolitan Museum of Art


Bowl | Origin: Iraq | Period: 9th century Abbasid period | Details: Among the earliest surviving works of art decorated with writing are a group of ceramic vessels, produced in Iraq and Iran under the rule of the powerful Abbasid dynasty (749–1258). Inspired by the whiteness and purity of the much admired, imported Chinese porcelain, Muslim potters created their own "white ware" by covering their buff-colored earthenware vessels with a glaze containing a small amount of lead and tin, which turns opaque when fired. Unlike the Chinese models, most of the Abbasid vessels were embellished with a variety of motifs, including calligraphic designs. This bowl combines both vegetal motifs and calligraphic design in cobalt and copper glazes. Surrounded by windswept palmettes, the inscription in the center confers blessings to the owner. | Type: Bowl; earthenware painted over glaze. | Size: H: 5.7 W: 20.8 D: 20.8 cm | Museum Code: F2000.2 | Photograph and description taken from Freer and the Sackler (Smithsonian) Museums.

Bowl , Iraq, 9th century Abbasid period 
from Freer and the Sackler (Smithsonian) Museum

See many more examples of Islamic Ceramics from the Islamic Arts website here 
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