Jug with Kufic Inscription
9th-10th century
Description
Among the most impressive ceramics produced during the reign of the Samanids are the epigraphic wares, so called because their sole or main decoration consists of stately Kufic script. An austere Arabic inscription, which may be read as “The noblest thing is the well-being of my guest” (ashraf al-shay nuzli al-muna), lends surprising majesty to this small jug. Written in black, four words are evenly spaced around the bulbous body, with an almond-shaped lozenge marking the end of the phrase. The tall ascending letters curve gently to the left. The intersection of the neck and body is ringed by a black line, which breaks into a looping motif at the front of the jug, opposite the handle. The black slip is raised slightly above the white surface; a carving tool has been used to sharpen its contours. The jug has been reassembled from thirteen fragments; small losses filled with plaster have been painted white. The reddish earthenware body, including the flat base, is covered entirely in white slip and a slightly yellowish clear glaze.
Dimensions
with handle: H. 10.6 x W. 12.2 x D. 9.4 cm (4 3/16 x 4 13/16 x 3 11/16 in.) Diam. of rim: 8.8 cm (3 7/16 in.)
Provenance
[Galerie für Griechische, Römische und Byzantinische Kunst, Frankfurt, 1972], sold; to Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (1972-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.
Related Artworks
View MoreEarthenware with slip-painted decoration
2nd-1st millennium BCEChineseTerracotta
Light gray earthenware with black painted decor
8th-5th century BCEChineseEnameled porcelain: porcelain with decoration painted in overglaze red enamel; with spurious overglaze red enamel mark reading "Da Qing Yongzheng nian zhi" on the base
18th centuryChineseSilver
18th centuryBritishCizhou-type cut-glaze ware: ivory white stoneware with olive brown glaze, the decoration cut into the glaze before firing
14th centuryChineseGray earthenware
4th century BCEChineseShell with gilt bronze fitting
3rd century BCE-3rd century CEChineseTerracotta
GreekPorcelain with mold-impressed decoration under pale sky-blue glaze
12th centuryChineseTerracotta, gray-brown ware
3rd millennium BCEAnatolianTerracotta
7th century BCEEtruscan