Parthian Glazed Terracotta Amphora - LO.516 Origin: Central Asia Circa: 2
nd
Century AD
to 3
rd
Century AD Dimensions:8.5" (21.6cm) high Collection: Near Eastern Medium: Glazed Terracotta
There was considerable regional variation in the
types of ceramic vessels produced in Mesopotamia
during the Parthian periods.
A distinctive feature of Mesopotamian manufacture
was the use of blue, green or yellow alkaline glazes.
This is a particularly attractive example as the
original deep blue colour survives unweathered.
The glazes on Parthian pottery form part of a long
tradition of alkaline glazing in Mesopotamia. Glazes
were made by mixing the ash produced by burning
desert plants with crushed quartz pebbles or quartz
sand. The blue and green colours are due to the
presence of minor amounts of iron oxide, with or
without copper.
- (LO.516)