Rare 13th C. Mamluk / Ayyubid Glass Flask

**Originally Listed At $800**

Middle East, Syria and Egypt, either Mamluk or Ayyubid, ca. 13th to 14th century CE. A fascinating conical glass flask with a wide, flared mouth. Colorful, rainbow swirls are visible on the interior of the mouth of this beautiful piece. Red, blue, white, orange, yellow, and green flow around the interior, while the lower body is near-translucent blue. Colorful glass was celebrated in the Islamic world during this time, with Ayyubid and Mamluk glassmakers competing with each other to reach new heights in glassmaking. It developed in Syria and then shifted to Cairo with the political transition from the Ayyubid to Mamluk periods. By the end of the 15th century, this flowering had dissipated, and production of colorful glass had shifted to Venice. Size: 5.25" W x 7.5" H (13.3 cm x 19 cm)

Provenance: private California, USA collection, bought from an antiquarian bookseller in Egypt in 1981

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#149149
Condition Report: Stabilized fissure on the rim. Otherwise in beautiful condition with a few tiny chips. Surface is lightly abraded to create a matte structure. Interesting white deposits around the underside of the mouth. No pontil as the piece is mold made rather than free blown.