Jar

Art Historical Context

This elegant jar from the 12th13th century exemplifies the pinnacle of Islamic ceramic artistry, crafted during a golden age of innovation in the eastern Mediterranean and Persia. Made of stonepaste—a composite of quartz, clay, and frit that mimicked the translucency of coveted Chinese porcelain—it stands about 13½ inches tall with a generous 10-inch diameter, for storing precious oils, spices, or water in bustling medieval households. The jar's surface dazzles with underglaze painting and lusterware, techniques that highlight the era's technical mastery. Underglaze colors, applied before a t...