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Luster Bowl

late 12th–first half 13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454
Nineteenth-century antiquarians’ fascination with The Thousand and One Nights and its 9th-century protagonist, Harun al‑Rashid, provoked interest in the Syrian city of Raqqa, where this Abbasid caliph once resided, and in the ceramics unearthed there. These prized objects date to the Ayyubid period, however, not Harun’s time. Recent study confirms that Raqqa was an important ceramics center, especially in the first part of the twelfth century, but other centers produced so‑called Raqqa ware as well.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Luster Bowl
  • Date: late 12th–first half 13th century
  • Geography: Made in Syria, Raqqa
  • Medium: Stonepaste; underglaze painted in blue and turquoise, luster-painted on transparent glaze
  • Dimensions: H. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm)
    Diam. 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: H.O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Horace Havemeyer, 1948
  • Object Number: 48.113.5
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Audio

Cover Image for 6715. Overview: Heraldic Lusterware Bowls, Part 1

6715. Overview: Heraldic Lusterware Bowls, Part 1

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MITCH CODDING: This is a fantastic piece of Hispano-Moresque lusterware. …That was produced in Manises, which is in Valencia, Spain. And it represents some of the earliest production of lusterware at Manises. The Muslims introduced lusterware into Spain. In roughly the 1320's, the production of lusterware was introduced into Manises. Factories were set up there. And very quickly, it became one of the most important products of Christian and Muslim Spain. The potters were all Muslim potters… at least up to the 16th century. And the earliest production incorporates purely Islamic designs. …This type is the next phase that is largely Islamic design but incorporates other Christian elements. You notice there's a coat of arms in the center. And many of these pieces were commissioned by nobles throughout Europe, but particularly in Italy. At least half of them or more bear the coats of arms of noble Italian families.

NARRATOR: Lusterware is specifically associated with Islamic ceramicists. If you haven’t already heard about its beginnings, and a bit about how it’s made, press PLAY.

    Listen to more about this artwork

More Artwork

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Footed Bowl, Stonepaste; underglaze painted in blue, luster-painted on transparent glaze
Footed Bowl
late 12th–first half 13th century
Jar, Stonepaste; underglaze painted under transparent turquoise glaze.
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late 12th–early 13th century
Bowl with Vegetal Motifs, Stonepaste; painted and incised under transparent glaze
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12th century
Bowl with Alif-lam Motif, Stonepaste; polychrome painted under transparent glaze.
Bowl with Alif-lam Motif
12th century
Jar, Stonepaste; painted under transparent turquoise glaze
Jar
late 12th–early 13th century

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