NORTH EAST IRAN, 10TH CENTURY

Details

A NISHAPUR POTTERY JUG
North East Iran, 10th century
With rounded body and flaring conical mouth on short foot, a simple handle linking the mouth and body, the white body painted in black with a band of elegantly foliated kufic above a strapwork line, the neck with a band of very sparse calligraphy above a red band with rope-motifs incised through, parts of mouth restored, glaze chips, otherwise intact
5½in. (13.9cm.) high

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The inscription consists of a repeat of the word which can possibly be read as "atiqq" (be pious). The inscription, and in particular the style in which it is written, links this jug to a group of very elegant dishes one of which is in the Khalili Collection (Grube, Ernst: Cobalt and Lustre, London, 1992, no.68, p.79). The entry under that example notes further closely related pieces published by Bol'shakov (O.G.:"Arabskie nadpisi na polivnoi keramike Srednei Asii", Epigrafika Vostoka, 13, 1958, pp.32-58). A further dish was offered in these Rooms 1 May 2001, lot 275. The present lot appears to be the first jug in the group.

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