Glass Bottle with Applied Decoration - RP.100, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 900 AD to 1100 AD, Dimensions: 5.7" (14.5cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art,  More »

Glass Bottle with Applied Decoration - RP.100, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 900 AD to 1100 AD, Dimensions: 5.7" (14.5cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mold Blown/Applied Decoration, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Glass Bottle - RP.101, Circa: 900 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 8.6" (21.8cm) high x 4.6" (11.7cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mold Blown, Medium: Glass.

Glass Bottle - RP.101, Circa: 900 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 8.6" (21.8cm) high x 4.6" (11.7cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mold Blown, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Islamic Glass Vase - RP.102, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 9 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 3.2" (8.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art,  More »

Islamic Glass Vase - RP.102, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 9 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 3.2" (8.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mold Blown, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Ummayad Glass Seal Impression - CK.0589, Origin: Middle East, Circa: 7 th Century AD to 8 th Century AD, Collection: Islamic, Style: Umayyad, Medium: Glass. The early history  More »

Ummayad Glass Seal Impression - CK.0589, Origin: Middle East, Circa: 7 th Century AD to 8 th Century AD, Collection: Islamic, Style: Umayyad, Medium: Glass. 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

Islamic Cobalt Blue Bottle - GF.0131, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 7.75" (19.7cm) high Catalogue: V1, Collection: Islamic, Medium: Fritware.

Islamic Cobalt Blue Bottle - GF.0131, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 7.75" (19.7cm) high Catalogue: V1, Collection: Islamic, Medium: Fritware.   « Less

Mesopotamian Alabaster Vessel - LO.551Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 3300 BC to 2700 BCDimensions: 6"(15.2cm) high x 5.60" (14.2cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style:  More »

Mesopotamian Alabaster Vessel - LO.551Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 3300 BC to 2700 BCDimensions: 6"(15.2cm) high x 5.60" (14.2cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style: Babylonian Medium: Alabaster   « Less

The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by  More »

The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by less literate scribes. Although the texts are not dated they are generally assigned to the late Sassanian/ early Islamic period (6th-8th century A.D.). Their main function was to trap evil spirits and they were often placed upside down at the corners of rooms, or built into foundations or cemeteries. The texts sometimes instruct them to be placed ‘at the four corners (of the room)’ for extra protection. The names of the clients for whom the bowls were made can be divided into two main categories- Semitic and Persian. However this is not always a reliable guide to their ethnicity. Jewish influence on the Mandaic inscriptions was minimal but is pronounced in the Aramaic incantations. Many of the scribes may have been Jewish or trained by Jews, and the Hebrew Bible is frequently quoted. Terracotta Incantation Bowl - SP.430 Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 ADDimensions: 3" (7.6cm) high x 6.75" (17.1cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Art Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Glazed Ewer - PF.0088, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 3.625" (9.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Medium:  More »

Glazed Ewer - PF.0088, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 3.625" (9.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Medium: Fritware.   « Less

Slip-Painted Nishapur Bowl - X.0651, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 900 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 7.875" (20.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style:  More »

Slip-Painted Nishapur Bowl - X.0651, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 900 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 7.875" (20.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Nishapur Ware, Medium: Earthenware, This exceptional bowl is made of earthenware and features a red slip ground with black, and white slip painted decoration. The central scrolling motif is within a large six pointed star that covers the majority of the bowl. Throughout the remaining space, unusual stylized leaves and foliage are highlighted by the use of “yellow staining” black pigment that exudes its golden hues under firing. The entire bowl would have been under a transparent glaze. The beautiful contrast of the colors gives the effect of a bejeweled masterpiece replete with gold gilding. The Khalili collection has a large bowl which it attributes to the production centers of Samarqand and Transoxiana. The bowl has a somewhat similar geometric shape at the heart of its central medallion. (Earnst J. Grube, Cobalt and Lustre, Bowl 109. Accession No. POT805).   « Less

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were  More »

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were neglected by the nineteenth century pioneers of Mesopotamian archaeology who were more interested in discovering palace foundations and large-scale sculpture. In more recent years however their importance has been recognised and they have been studied in-depth.The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by less literate scribes. Although the texts are not dated they are generally assigned to the late Sassanian/ early Islamic period (6th-8th century A.D.). Their main function was to trap evil spirits and they were often placed upside down at the corners of rooms, or built into foundations or cemeteries. The texts sometimes instruct them to be placed ‘at the four corners (of the room)’ for extra protection. The names of the clients for whom the bowls were made can be divided into two main categories- Semitic and Persian. However this is not always a reliable guide to their ethnicity. Jewish influence on the Mandaic inscriptions was minimal but is pronounced in the Aramaic incantations. Many of the scribes may have been Jewish or trained by Jews, and the Hebrew Bible is frequently quoted.   « Less