Folio from the "Blue Qur'an," Fatimid period (909–1171), second half of 9th–mid-10th century Tunisia, probably Qairawan Gold and silver on indigo-dyed parchment
Bowl with Green splashes
"In response to the popularity of imported Chinese ceramics, Abbasid artists learned to replicate the colors and shapes of these prestigious goods for a growing clientele. This bowl shows the results of these efforts, particularly in its color scheme. Green was a popular color used in the decoration of glazed bowls that imitated Chinese white stoneware. The green streaks are carefully controlled to run radially toward the center of this bowl, creating a harmonious design. Some early Abbasid ceramics include short, generic inscriptions of well-wishes. The blue inscription at the center is written in a kufic script, wishing "Blessing, good fortune" to the bowl’s owner."
Object Name:Bowl
Date:9th century
Geography:Iraq, probably Basra
Medium:Earthenware; 'splash-painted' on opaque white glaze
Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC
Parchment leaf from a Koran written in Hijazi
Hijaz Province, the Arabian Peninsula, or Syria; 2nd half of 7th century
Gotta love the script on this one.
Bowl 7th-8th century Susa, Iran Earthenware, moulded decoration The vine-shoot and pomegranate decoration is Hellenistic in inspiration, but the presence of an inscription in Arabic enforces a later dating. The line in question comes from an Arabic poem and is a very early example of the association of poetry and ceramics.
Page from a Koran, Sura 10, verses 24-27
9th century
ink, opaque watercolor on parchment H: 28.0 W: 38.3 cm North Africa or Near East, Egypt
Stained glass cup, from Damascus, Syria. 8th century. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the kufic script on the top of the jar reads:
"In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Compassionate. Blessing from Allah on the person who drinks from this cup. That which was made in Damascus at the hands of Sunbat[?] in the year 1[?]"