Jar
Unknown Artist
11th–12th century
Medium
Earthenware; unglazed, molded
Dimensions
H. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm) Diam. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George C. Miles, 1962
Accession Number
62.227.2
Art Historical Context
This modest yet evocative jar, crafted by an unknown artist in the11th–12th, exemplifies everyday ceramics from the Islamic world. Made of unglazed earthenware and shaped using molds, it stands just 6 1/8 inches tall with a diameter of 5 3/4 inches—perfect for practical use in households, perhaps storing spices, oils, or cosmetics. Its simple form highlights the ingenuity of Islamic potters during a golden age of cultural exchange across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyondThe molded technique allowed for efficient production and subtle decorative textures, even without glaze, relying on ...