Persia (Iran), Nishapur area, ca. late 10th century to early 13th century CE. This is a fascinating glazed oil lamp with pinched spout and a round bowl below a thin stem. A flat strap handle connects the upper bowl to the lower. Remains of a green-blue glaze peek through the obvious signs of use; there is also some iridescent patina on the body. Nishapur was a center of politics and culture in medieval Persia, and their pottery is some of the most unique and beautiful we see from this time period. These turquoise items are the result of technological innovation at the end of the 10th century. The body of this lamp and others of its style is made of finely ground quartz mixed with clay; this created a white surface on which the artists could paint designs directly. The glaze is alkaline, with a copper base to give it its color, and would be poured over the clay. Manganese was used to create the underglaze design. These pieces may have been inspired by the blue and white glazed pottery that travelled the Silk Road from Tang Dynasty China, but the end result here is clearly not just an imitation, but an entirely different, radical style developed in Nishapur. Size: 3.4" W x 3.25" H (8.6 cm x 8.3 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private FL collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#117529

Intact, with archaeological deposits; surface glaze loss, as shown.