SAMARKAND, CENTRAL ASIA, 10TH/11TH CENTURY

Details

A SAMANID SLIP PAINTED POTTERY BOWL
SAMARKAND, CENTRAL ASIA, 10TH/11TH CENTURY
Of well-rounded form with slightly inturned mouth on short foot, the cream interior decorated in red, black and ochre slip with a central whirling roundel flanked by three tiers of wave-motifs, the exterior with bold inverted drop-shaped panels divided by small leaf-motifs, repaired breaks, two areas of plaster infill
10 1/8in. (25.8cm.) diam.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The whorl motif that is found in the centre of this bowl is found on a number of bowls excavated at Afrasiyab (Samarkand). It can be seen in some of the bowls depicted in the Stoliarov photographs (Charles K. Wilkinson, Nishapur Pottery of the Early Islamic Period, New York, 1973, no.4, p.367, lower left and no.5, p.368, lower right in particular). Another example was exhibited in Paris (Terres Secrètes de Samarkande, exhibition catalogue, Paris, 1992, no.218, p.105, ill.p.66). The present bowl is a particularly brilliantly coloured and vibrant example, using more colours than are generally found on the group.

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