Fragment of a Waster
Unknown Artist
11th–12th century
Medium
Earthenware; white body, glazed
Dimensions
H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm) W. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.34
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment, titled *Fragment of a Waster hails from the Islamic world of the 11th–12th century, golden age for ceramic innovation. Crafted from earthenware with a distinctive white body and glossy glaze, it measures just 2¾ inches high and over 3 inches wide—small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. through the Rogers Fund in 1948, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum of's Department of Islamic Art, offering a glimpse into medieval pottery workshops. A "waster refers to a flawed piece discarded during production, often due to cracks, warping, or glazing mishaps. Potters in th...