By the beginning of the 13th century, fritware
had replaced all other ordinary clay structure in
this part of the Islamic world.
This piece was made by fritware potters in the
late 12th and early 13th century. Elements
thrown and combined, turned down to an
impressive thinness and fineness of profile and
covered in the most common, but most pleasing
of monochrome glazes – opaque turquoise.
This jug shares the same derivation from
contemporary metal forms, and illustrate well
how the friware potters established in Central
Asia in the 12th century were not following a
“traditional” ceramic practice, but were inventing
an entirely new repertoire of forms for their new
material.
Jug, monochrome glazed ware. Composite white
fritware coated with a light blue glaze which stops
short of the base. The globular fluted body rests on
a splayed foot-ring and has a tall funnel-shaped
neck and a tall handle, decorated with several small
knobs is attached.
Iran, 12th – 13th century.
Prof. Geza Fehervari
Prof.
Geoffrey King
