**Originally Listed At $700**

Near East, Syria, Raqqa (or Rakka), Ayyubid dynasty, ca. 13th century CE. A dazzling pottery jar enveloped in a glaze of mottled hues of powder blue, navy, and cobalt, all complemented by a lovely craquelure and beautiful indigo-colored iridescence. Boasting an elegant silhouette, the vessel presents a gracefully flared rim atop a corseted neck that leads at a broad, rounded shoulder, all dramatically narrowing to a ring-form foot. This type of baluster-shaped jar was a specialty of the Euphrates kilns at Raqqa in eastern Syria during the prosperous period of patronage instigated by the Ayyubid prince al-Malik al-Ashraf Musa between 1201 and 1229. Many of these kilns were demolished during the Mongol sack of the city in 1265, though some potters may have moved westward as evidenced in the survival of the baluster shape and underglaze technique in Damascus pottery production of the developing Mamluk period. Size: 5.1" Diameter x 6.3" H (13 cm x 16 cm)

Jars of this type were mainly functional vessel that were used to store and transport spices, foodstuffs, and medicinal substances. While many of the later Damascus jars were exported and survive in high numbers outside of Syria, Raqqa pottery was relatively unknown in Europe until the late-19th century when the kiln site was discovered. The Syrian city of Raqqa was the home of Harun al-Rashid, Abbasid caliph and protagonist of The Thousand and One Nights, and, although he lived during the 9th century, this connection sparked 19th century interest in Raqqa's ceramics.

Please note: items from Syria are not eligible for international shipping due to the US embargo on Syria.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003

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#177650

Professional restoration to rim. Minor chipping to shoulder as well as age expected surface wear as shown. Otherwise, very nice with great craquelure to glaze and beautiful iridescence.