Ewer
Unknown Artist
late 12th–early 13th century
Medium
Stoneware; underglaze painted and carved through black slip under colorless glaze
Dimensions
H. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm) Diam.4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Smith Ely Goldsmith, 1993
Accession Number
1993.434
Art Historical Context
This elegant ewer, crafted in the late 12th to early 13th century, exemplifies the refined ceramic artistry of the Islamic world. Standing just under 5 inches tall with a matching diameter, this stoneware vessel—likely used for pouring water or liquids in daily rituals or hospitality—was shaped into a graceful, spout-bearing form ideal for both function and display. Its anonymous maker employed sophisticated techniques: a black slip was applied over the body, then incised and painted with underglaze designs before a clear glaze sealed the surface, creating a glossy, durable finish that highlig...