Near East, Persia (Iran and Turkey), Kashan or Nishapur, Medieval Period, ca. 1200 CE. A gorgeous pottery pitcher resting on a ring foot and covered in bright, turquoise blue glaze. The pitcher is mold formed with a globular body, a corseted, flanged neck, and a slightly flared mouth. A strap handle arches from the body to the rim with a petite lug at the top, perhaps for securing a lid. The turquoise glaze pools thickly where it has flowed down the exterior sides, leaving the lower body and foot are unglazed. Size: 4.5" Diameter x 6" H (11.4 cm x 15.2 cm)

Nishapur turquoise pieces like this example are the result of technological innovation at the end of the 10th century. The body of this vessel was made of finely ground quartz mixed with clay; this created a white surface upon which the artists could pour the colorful glaze and sometimes paint additional designs. The glaze is alkaline, with a copper base to give it its color, and would be poured over the clay. Scholars believe that such Nishapur pieces may have been inspired by the blue and white glazed pottery that travelled the Silk Road from Tang Dynasty China; however, the end result was clearly not just an imitation, but rather an entirely different, radical style that developed in Nishapur.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, in the USA since 1997

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#167301

Minor chips to rim and surface abrasions. Some glazing imperfections on the exterior surface. Single TL hole on the base. Earthen and mineral deposits, especially on interior. Glaze has nice craquelure throughout!