Islamic Terracotta Vessel - PF.5124, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 8.5" (21.6cm) high x 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic,  More »

Islamic Terracotta Vessel - PF.5124, Origin: Jericho, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 8.5" (21.6cm) high x 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Terracotta. Through art, it is possible to observe ancient religion, magic and ritual, “solidified” in media such as clay, iron or stone. This superb pitcher or jug is composed of two main sections--the body portion and the spout/handle. Four registers encircle the body, beginning with a series of joined oblong “lozenges” at the base (above a lovely flower on the bottom) continuing into a floral effect that is slightly wider and freer than the more detailed panel above. A series of glyph-like configurations dominate the upper area, before allowing a more open space at the neck. The tightly woven designs of the body, like a complex script, are beautifully contrasted to the elegant bull's head attached to the spout. Its stylized nature in fact adds to its power; with intense, circular eyes, dramatically curved horns and an ornate pattern covering the face and neck. Though the exact meaning of esoteric symbols may be lost, their energy remains to delight us with beauty and intrigue us with mystery.   « Less

Islamic Bronze Water Jug - FZ.394, Origin: Mediterranean, Circa: 1200 AD to 1400 AD, Dimensions: 14.5" (36.8cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Bronze.  More »

Islamic Bronze Water Jug - FZ.394, Origin: Mediterranean, Circa: 1200 AD to 1400 AD, Dimensions: 14.5" (36.8cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Bronze. The art of metalwork has been one of the principal forms of artistic expression in the Islamic world. Responding to the taste and needs of different social and economic classes, artists continuously explored the technical and decorative potential of their materials to transform simple, functional objects into highly refined works of art.   « Less

Seljuk Dish with Engraved Decorations - FZ.407, Origin: Middle East, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide,  More »

Seljuk Dish with Engraved Decorations - FZ.407, Origin: Middle East, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Bronze. Although individual Turkish generals had already gained considerable, and at times decisive, power in Mesopotamia and Egypt during the tenth and eleventh centuries, the coming of the Seljuks signaled the first large-scale penetration of the Turkish elements into the Middle East. Descended from a tribal chief named Seljuk, whose homeland lay beyond the Oxus River near the Aral Sea, the Seljuks not only developed a highly effective fighting force but also, through their close contacts with Persian court life in Khorasan and Transoxania, attracted a body of able administrators. Extending from Central Asia to the Byzantine marches in Asia Minor, the Seljuks established a highly cohesive, well- administered state under the nominal authority of the Abbasid caliphs at Baghdad.   « Less

Islamic Gold Coin of the Abbasid Dynasty - FJ.6627, Origin: Persia, Circa: 749 AD to 1258 AD, Collection: Coin Jewelry, Style: Abbasid, Medium: Gold. The Abbasid Dynasty was  More »

Islamic Gold Coin of the Abbasid Dynasty - FJ.6627, Origin: Persia, Circa: 749 AD to 1258 AD, Collection: Coin Jewelry, Style: Abbasid, Medium: Gold. The Abbasid Dynasty was an Arab family legendarily descended from Abbas, the uncle of Muhammad. The Abbasids held the caliphate from 749 to 1258. Under the Umayyad caliphs the Abbasids lived quietly until they became involved in numerous disputes, beginning early in the 8th cent. The family then joined with the Shiite faction in opposing the Umayyads, and in 747 the gifted Abu Muslim united most of the empire in revolt against the Umayyads. The head of the Abbasid family became caliph as Abu al- Abbas as-Saffah late in 749. Under the second Abbasid caliph, called al-Mansur, the capital was moved from Damascus to Baghdad, and Persian influence grew strong in the empire. The early years of Abbasid rule were brilliant, rising to true splendor under Harun al-Rashid and to intellectual brilliance under his son al-Mamun. After less than a hundred years of rule, however, the slow decline of the Abbasids began. Long periods of disorder were marked by assassinations, depositions, control by Turkish soldiers, and other disturbances. In 836 the capital was transferred to Samarra, remaining there until 892. Under the later Abbasids, the power of the caliphate became chiefly spiritual. Many independent kingdoms sprang up, and the empire split into autonomous units. The Seljuk Turks came to hold the real power at Baghdad. Later their power dwindled even further, and, in 1258, Baghdad was burned by the Tatars. From then until 1517 the Abbasids retained limited power as caliphs of Egypt.   « Less

Parthian Turquoise-Glazed Terracotta Vessel - LO.514, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1 st Century AD to 3 rd Century AD, Dimensions: 10" (25.4cm) high, Collection: Near  More »

Parthian Turquoise-Glazed Terracotta Vessel - LO.514, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1 st Century AD to 3 rd Century AD, Dimensions: 10" (25.4cm) high, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Parthian, Medium: Glazed Terracotta.   « Less

Slip-Painted Terracotta Ewer - LO.519, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 9.5" (24.1cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Unglazed Painted Ware,  More »

Slip-Painted Terracotta Ewer - LO.519, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 9.5" (24.1cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Unglazed Painted Ware, Medium: Terracotta. The red earthenware ewer coated with a white ground slip on which decoration is painted in black. The cylindrical body is painted with scrolls and geometric patterns covering also the neck and the tall upward pointing spout. This vessel betrays a zoomorphism which is evident from looking from the handle, where 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.   « Less

Mould with Epigraphic Band - LO.541, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Earthenware. In spite of the ever  More »

Mould with Epigraphic Band - LO.541, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Earthenware. In spite of the ever increasing interest in Islamic ceramics, information on kilns, moulds and other related objects is still relatively scarce. What is known is that moulds were used even before the creation of fritware, for the production of lead glazed relief ware during the early Abbasid period (8th-9th centuries CE), and always were made of red or buff earthenware. A reliable attribution of provenance and dating is quite a difficult task, since the actual place whence these moulds originated is not known.   « Less

Mould with Epigraphic Band - LO.542, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Clay.

Mould with Epigraphic Band - LO.542, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Clay.   « Less

Mould with Epigraphic Band - LO.543, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Clay.  More »

Mould with Epigraphic Band - LO.543, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Clay. In spite of the ever increasing interest in Islamic ceramics, information on kilns, moulds and other related objects is still relatively scarce. What is known is that moulds were used even before the creation of fritware, for the production of lead glazed relief ware during the early Abbasid period (8th-9th centuries CE), and always were made of red or buff earthenware. A reliable attribution of provenance and dating is quite a difficult task, since the actual place whence these moulds originated is not known.   « Less

Mould with Foliate Bands - LO.544, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium: Clay.

Mould with Foliate Bands - LO.544, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium: Clay.   « Less