Lustre Painted Jug - LO.742, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Kashan, or Raqqa, Medium: Fritware. Small lustre globular jug, entirely painted with a brownish lustre showing arabesques, floral scrolls and split palmettes motives, a large vertical splash of underglaze cobalt blue ("running blue") on one side of the body. Lustre painting appeared in Syria and Iran when it disappeared in Egypt, where the Fatimid empire was falling apart. Hence, an immigration of skilled potters might have been the reason for its emergence. The technique was then fully mastered in Iran during the 12th century and in Syria in 13th century, when this fine example was possibly created.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East