Near East, Iran, Samanid Dynasty, Nishapur or Samarqand, ca. 10th century CE. Truly of my favorite pieces, this is a terracotta bowl glazed with a black-on-white Arabic calligraphic motif in a minimalist style on its interior. Between the calligraphy are repeated, round and linear patterns that look like suns reflected on a watery horizon. The white glaze continues on the underside of the bowl, ending above the foot. Samanid potters invented slip-painted ware, achieving a beautiful clarity of design - see, for example, the perfect edges on the letters here. They used a white englobe (a thin slip wash) to cover red earthenware and then painted the inscription in a brownish pigment mixed with slip. Adding slip to the pigment prevented it from running. The perfect style of the calligraphy, with its stylized long shafts and angular letters, demonstrates a close relationship between the potter and the calligrapher. Size: 10" W x 3.3" H (25.4 cm x 8.4 cm)

The inscriptions on bowls like this one are Arabic proverbs - in fact, some of the first extant examples that appear in the Islamic world. Each inscription is read by turning the bowl counterclockwise. Some of these inscriptions are a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, and others are referencing social codes from the Samanids, who deeply valued hospitality and generosity.

See comparable examples from Christies: a group of three that sold for $4500: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/three-samanid-calligraphic-pottery-bowls-nishapur-eastern-5422325-details.aspx?from=salesummery&intObjectID=5422325&sid=080fdd4c-5c5f-4c13-9b3e-3ab38efbe82a; and a group of two that sold for $8600: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/two-samanid-calligraphic-bowls-samarqand-central-asia-5422327-details.aspx?from=salesummery&intObjectID=5422327&sid=080fdd4c-5c5f-4c13-9b3e-3ab38efbe82a

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

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#121826

Base has been repaired with some evidence of overpainting on the underside. Small losses to paint on the rim and exterior body, with fine craquelure on the white glaze.