Islamic Glazed Pottery Spice Jar

Near East, Persia (Iran), Nishapur area, ca. late 10th century to early 13th century CE. A uniquely-shaped form, a group of four deep terracotta jars molded together. Each has a thick rolled rim. Four pointed projections and a deep depression at the center complete the piece. A pretty blue-green glaze covers all but the underside. In places, the glaze has gained a silvery iridescence. This item was probably used to hold condiments at the table like salt and spices. Size: 3.8" W x 2.3" H (9.7 cm x 5.8 cm)

Nishapur was a center of politics and culture in medieval Persia, and their pottery is some of the most unique and beautiful in history. Turquoise items like this example are the result of technological innovation at the end of the 10th century. They used an alkaline glaze with a copper base to give it its color and would pour it over the clay. These pieces may have been inspired by the blue and white glazed pottery that travelled the Silk Road from Tang Dynasty China, but the end result here transformed to an entirely different, radical style developed in Nishapur.

Provenance: private California, USA collection, by descent, moved from Germany in 1997, originally collected in the 1970s in Hamburg, Germany

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#155955
Condition Report: Three small "feet" on the bottom are the result of the firing process and the mold used to make this item. Amazing craquelure on glaze. Intact, with great deposits and some iridescence.