Lot Essay
There are a number of pieces of glazed relief ware decorated in fashions similar to that seen in the present flask, which most authorities write about as a coherent group. Vessels and fragments have been found in a number of Early Islamic sites, including Samarra, Susa, Rosen-Ayalon, Hira, al-Mina and Tarsus. Very few vessels have however survived intact from this group.
The geometrical lattice covering the lower part of the body is comparable to that on two moulded pottery jugs, one with covering green glaze sold in these Rooms, 12 October 1999, lot 286 and another with green splashed yellow glaze sold in these Rooms 7 October 2008, lot 5. Both are attributed to 8th century Eastern Mediterranean with a possible attribution to Egypt for the yellow glazed jug. The tall neck and highly inclined spout closely relate to that found on a large Umayyad or early Abbasid green glazed ewer sold in these Rooms, 23 October 2007, lot 50, which has a similar attribution to 8th or 9th century eastern Mediterranean. The shape of the unusual faceted neck and spout is very probably taken from contemporary examples in metalwork, possibly from oil lamps or torch stands.
The geometrical lattice covering the lower part of the body is comparable to that on two moulded pottery jugs, one with covering green glaze sold in these Rooms, 12 October 1999, lot 286 and another with green splashed yellow glaze sold in these Rooms 7 October 2008, lot 5. Both are attributed to 8th century Eastern Mediterranean with a possible attribution to Egypt for the yellow glazed jug. The tall neck and highly inclined spout closely relate to that found on a large Umayyad or early Abbasid green glazed ewer sold in these Rooms, 23 October 2007, lot 50, which has a similar attribution to 8th or 9th century eastern Mediterranean. The shape of the unusual faceted neck and spout is very probably taken from contemporary examples in metalwork, possibly from oil lamps or torch stands.