Bowl

Abstract

During the first two centuries of the rule of the Abbasid caliphs (749-1258 C.E.), with their capitals first at Baghdad and then at Samarra, Islamic ceramics attained the status of a fine art. This appears to have been the result of increased contact with the Chinese world and the direct importation of a variety of Chinese ceramics, from wares made for export to wares made for the domestic market. Abbasid artisans copied the white bodies and glazes of Chinese stonewares by adding tin oxide to the lead glazes covering their earthenwares and then decorating the surface with splashes of color or applied designs. The cobalt blue and copper green stripes of this bowl closely resemble Chinese Three Color wares (sancai) of the eighth century.