Sphero-Conical Vessel with Stamped & Incised Decoration - SF.214, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Collection:  More »

Sphero-Conical Vessel with Stamped & Incised Decoration - SF.214, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Earthenware. The sphero-conical vessel style of objects form a distinct group, homogeneously brought together by their shape and material. Usually, these objects are the same size. The form is characterized by the “sphero-conical” shape of the body, the outline varies, but almost all have a narrow neck usually with a groove beneath the lip that would be used to tie a stopper down, and the opening is usually very small. The colour, texture and finish will vary. This sphero-conical vessel is made of light earthenware, and stamped with circular motifs. Most often, these objects are dark, fine grained and compact. Firing appears to be high as to render the object impenetrable. The thickness of the walls gives the object weight and strength, and no doubt helps to improve water tightness.   « Less

Sphero-Conical Vessel with Stamped & Incised Decoration - SF.215, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6.50" (16.5cm) high,  More »

Sphero-Conical Vessel with Stamped & Incised Decoration - SF.215, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6.50" (16.5cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Earthenware. The sphero-conical vessel style of objects form a distinct group, homogeneously brought together by their shape and material. Usually, these objects are the same size. The form is characterized by the “sphero-conical” shape of the body, the outline varies, but almost all have a narrow neck usually with a groove beneath the lip that would be used to tie a stopper down, and the opening is usually very small. The colour, texture and finish will vary. This sphero-conical vessel is made of dark earthenware, the surface is decorated with incised tear drops patterns. Most often, these objects are dark, fine grained and compact. Firing appears to be high as to render the object impenetrable. The thickness of the walls gives the object weight and strength, and no doubt helps to improve water tightness.   « Less

Sphero-Conical Vessel with Stamped & Incised Decoration - SF.216, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection:  More »

Sphero-Conical Vessel with Stamped & Incised Decoration - SF.216, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Islamic Incense Burner with a Handle - P.0389, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide, Catalogue: V1, Collection: Near  More »

Islamic Incense Burner with a Handle - P.0389, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide, Catalogue: V1, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Early Islamic, Medium: Terracotta. One of the customs that the new religion of Islam inherited from the ancient world was the burning of fragrant incense for the glory of god. This simple, though graceful, clay brazier, dating from the earliest days of Islam's Golden Age, is still blackened around the holes where the smoke rose up to the heavens. We imagine it grasped in the hand of a believer centuries ago, when the faith of Mohammed was still young.   « Less

Umayyad Terracotta Vessel Inscribed In Kufic Script - P.1386, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 8 th Century AD to 10 th Century AD, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm)  More »

Umayyad Terracotta Vessel Inscribed In Kufic Script - P.1386, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 8 th Century AD to 10 th Century AD, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Umayyad, Medium: Terracotta. The early history of Islam following the death of the Prophet Muhammad can be characterized by glorious wars and victories on the one hand and by jealousy, intrigue, and deceit on the other. When the Umayyad Dynasty ruled in splendor from their capital at Damascus, a coin such as this would have been recognized and traded throughout their expanding empire. The rulers of the Umayyad Dynasty, beginning with the founder, Mu'awiyah, claimed a blood relationship with the Prophet via his sister, Umm Habibah, and his Abu-Sufyan, the leader of the Meccan Quraysh. As the Islam spread across North Africa and into Europe, political rivalry began to emerge between the Caliphs. These family feuds would culminate in 749 A.D. when the entire Umayyad clan was murdered, save for abd-al- Rahman, who fled to Spain and founded an independent Umayyad Caliphate there. In part, this division between opposing Muslim factions of Shi’ite and the Sunni continue to this day. Overall, the period of the Umayyad Dynasty can be characterized by a love of luxury. Great palaces were erected in the capital of Damascus. It is also noted that the Caliphs Yazi I and II were "passionate friends of sport, music and lady singers."   « Less

Ottoman Terracotta Pipe Bowl - PF.2149, Origin: Turkey, Circa: 1500 AD to 1800 AD, Collection: Islamic, Style: Ottoman, Medium: Terracotta. At its height, the Ottoman Empire  More »

Ottoman Terracotta Pipe Bowl - PF.2149, Origin: Turkey, Circa: 1500 AD to 1800 AD, Collection: Islamic, Style: Ottoman, Medium: Terracotta. At its height, the Ottoman Empire was one of the world’s great powers, controlling much of southeastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The roots of the Ottoman Empire can be traced back to the migration of Turkic tribes from Central Asia into Anatolia. Expert horsemen, fierce and highly mobile, these armies encountered little resistance as they moved westward and settled, eventually uniting under the banner of the Seljuk Empire. Back in the East, the rise of the Mongols sent progressive waves of Turkic refugees fleeing the armies of the Khan. The turmoil created by this influx of people, as well as direct confrontations with the Mongols themselves, eventually resulted in the dissolution of the Seljuk Empires into several fractured independent states. One of these states, ruled by Osman I, from whom the word Ottoman is derived, would become the Ottoman Empire.   « Less

Ottoman Terracotta Pipe Bowl - PF.2150, Origin: Turkey, Circa: 1500 AD to 1800 AD, Dimensions: 1" (2.5cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Ottoman,  More »

Ottoman Terracotta Pipe Bowl - PF.2150, Origin: Turkey, Circa: 1500 AD to 1800 AD, Dimensions: 1" (2.5cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Ottoman, Medium: Terracotta. At its height, the Ottoman Empire was one of the world’s great powers, controlling much of southeastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The roots of the Ottoman Empire can be traced back to the migration of Turkic tribes from Central Asia into Anatolia. Expert horsemen, fierce and highly mobile, these armies encountered little resistance as they moved westward and settled, eventually uniting under the banner of the Seljuk Empire. Back in the East, the rise of the Mongols sent progressive waves of Turkic refugees fleeing the armies of the Khan. The turmoil created by this influx of people, as well as direct confrontations with the Mongols themselves, eventually resulted in the dissolution of the Seljuk Empires into several fractured independent states. One of these states, ruled by Osman I, from whom the word Ottoman is derived, would become the Ottoman Empire.   « Less

Ottoman Terracotta Pipe Bowl - PF.2151, Origin: Turkey, Circa: 1500 AD to 1800 AD,Collection: Islamic, Style: Ottoman, Medium: Terracotta. At its height, the Ottoman Empire  More »

Ottoman Terracotta Pipe Bowl - PF.2151, Origin: Turkey, Circa: 1500 AD to 1800 AD,Collection: Islamic, Style: Ottoman, Medium: Terracotta. At its height, the Ottoman Empire was one of the world’s great powers, controlling much of southeastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The roots of the Ottoman Empire can be traced back to the migration of Turkic tribes from Central Asia into Anatolia. Expert horsemen, fierce and highly mobile, these armies encountered little resistance as they moved westward and settled, eventually uniting under the banner of the Seljuk Empire. Back in the East, the rise of the Mongols sent progressive waves of Turkic refugees fleeing the armies of the Khan. The turmoil created by this influx of people, as well as direct confrontations with the Mongols themselves, eventually resulted in the dissolution of the Seljuk Empires into several fractured independent states. One of these states, ruled by Osman I, from whom the word Ottoman is derived, would become the Ottoman Empire.   « Less

Islamic Porcelain Ointment Jar - PF.2339, Origin: Bethany, Israel, Circa: 1500 AD to 1700 AD,Dimensions: 1.625" (4.1cm) high x 1" (2.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art,  More »

Islamic Porcelain Ointment Jar - PF.2339, Origin: Bethany, Israel, Circa: 1500 AD to 1700 AD,Dimensions: 1.625" (4.1cm) high x 1" (2.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Mavera al-Nahr or Khurasan Slip-Painted Ewer with Turquoise-Glazed Highlights - PF.6011, Origin: Afghanistan, Circa: 8 th Century AD to 10 th Century AD, Dimensions: 8"  More »

Mavera al-Nahr or Khurasan Slip-Painted Ewer with Turquoise-Glazed Highlights - PF.6011, Origin: Afghanistan, Circa: 8 th Century AD to 10 th Century AD, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high, Collection: Asian, Style: Mavera al-Nahr or Khurasan, Medium: Terracotta, Condition: Extra Fine. This gorgeous terracotta vessel features a wide, flaring trefoil-lipped mouth. A perforated sieve serves to filter out impurities in the substances once contained within. An ewer such as this likely held precious liquids and oils. Although, it may have been used for serving water, this would not explain the necessity of the filter. Oils, however, which were not purified in those days, would often include bits of vegetation and other impurities that would need to be isolated. The shape and form of this ewer is classically Islamic, revealing the great influence the neighboring Iran had upon the cultures of Afghanistan. While the form of the vessel is traditional, the elaborate geometrical decorations are distinctive and unique to this type of ware originating in Afghanistan. The slip-painted embellishments feature a bird shaped motif that is repeated along the body, shoulders, and neck of the ewer. Turquoise-glazed fragments have been inlaid onto the surface of the pot, along the inside and outside of the neck, and along the lower join of the small handle to the shoulder. These gorgeous highlights add a bit of color to the vessel, made that much more splendid by the monochrome decoration of the work. These glazed shards again hint at the Iranian influence, where such glazed-vessels were quite popular. This striking ewer would have decorated the dinner table of an elite member of early Afghan Islamic society. Today, the beauty of this ancient world is as resplendent as ever and reminds us of the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Afghanistan, the crossways of cultures.   « Less