Mavera al-Nahr or Khurasan Large Slip-Painted Terracotta Vessel - PF.6116, Origin: Afghanistan, Circa: 8 th , Century AD to 10 th Century AD, Dimensions: 13" (33.0cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mavera al-Nahr or Khurasan, Medium: Terracotta. This large, impressive terracotta vessel features a wide, rounded body with a tall neck that bows inwards slightly above the shoulders before flaring outwards at the top. Certainly, the most distinctive feature of this vessel is the pair of handles that connect the shoulders with the middle of the the neck. The handles are topped by inverted crescents that rise from the top of the handle to just below the lip of the vessel that appear to be stylized bull heads. The handles feature turquoise glazed highlights, These gorgeous highlights add a bit of color to the vessel, made that much more splendid by the monochrome decoration of the work. The slip- painted embellishments of abstracted designs decorate the neck and shoulders of the exterior, as well as the interior lip. The brilliant blue glaze hints at an Iranian influence, where such glazed- vessels were quite popular. This striking vessel 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.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East