Jar

late 12th–early 13th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454

Similar underglaze painted objects are usually attributed to Raqqa, a town on the Euphrates in northeast Syria, from which a large number appeared on the market from the end of the 19th century. While some of the workshops were located there, as the unearthing of a large number of wasters confirms, others were located elsewhere along the Euphrates valley, in southern Anatolia, central Syria, Damascus and as far as Egypt.

This jar is said to come from the so-called "Great Find" in Raqqa in the early 20th century, when a colony of Circassians that was being relocated by the Ottomans was given permission to excavate an archaeological area in search of building material. They found a number of large jars containing intact vessels which were eventually sold on the market (see also 56.185.22 and 56.185.15).

The cursive inscription painted on the body reads "lasting glory and prosperity".

Artwork Details

Title: Jar
Date: late 12th–early 13th century
Geography: Said to be from Syria, Raqqa
Medium: Stonepaste; painted under transparent turquoise glaze
Dimensions: H. 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm)
Diam. 6 3/8 in. (24.4 cm)
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Horace Havemeyer, 1956
Object Number: 56.185.18
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Audio

6780. Jar

Music

0:00

ZEYBA RAHMAN: A good deal is known about Syria’s musical tradition - particularly the music of the later Middle Ages, because their traditions of music continue uninterrupted to the current day. The love song “Who are you, my beloved“ dates back from that period and continues to be sung at many happy occasions for the entertainment of the guests, even today. The northern Syrian city of Aleppo, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, is an important center of Arabic classical music. Omar Sarmini was born in Aleppo and is regarded as a current day icon of this famous classical vocal tradition. He’s known to have mastered a vast spiritual repertoire as well. Let’s listen to Omar Sarmini and the Al Kindi Ensemble now.

Music: Omar Sarmini, The Aleppian Music Room, Man Kunta

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Jar, Stonepaste; painted under transparent turquoise glaze — Jar
late 12th–early 13th century

Jar, Stonepaste; underglaze painted under transparent turquoise glaze. — Jar
late 12th–early 13th century

Jar, Stonepaste; underglaze painted in blue, luster-painted on transparent glaze — Jar
late 12th–first half 13th century

Luster Bowl, Stonepaste; underglaze painted in blue and turquoise, luster-painted on transparent glaze — Luster Bowl
late 12th–first half 13th century

Ewer, Stonepaste; underglaze painted in blue, luster-painted on transparent glaze — Ewer
late 12th–first half 13th century

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