Unglazed Painted Ewer - LO.545, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Terracotta. The red earthenware ewer coated with a white ground slip on which decoration is painted in black. The squat globular body is painted with scrolls and geometric patterns covering also the neck and the tallupward pointing spout. Looking from the handle some hidden facial features are to be found like the large roundels on the neck, indicating the eyes. This type of vessel had apparently some magical connotation and was probably used as a drinking vessel in ceremonial occasions. For a discussion on this type of vessel and comparable examples see: J.Kalter ed, Uzbekistan. Heirs to the Silk Road, 1997: no.271.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East