Jar

Art Historical Context

This elegant jar, crafted by an unknown artist in the th–17th century exemplifies the refined ceramics of the Islamic world. Made from stonepaste—a composite material of quartz, clay, and frit developed by Islamic potters to imitate the translucency of Chinese porcelain—it stands just 10½ inches tall, perfect for holding spices, oils, or flowers in a prosperous household. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department it was generously gifted by financier J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917, highlighting early 20th-century passion for these treasures. The jar's underglaze painting t...