{"product_id":"medieval-islamic-figural-ceramic-vessel-with-kufic-motif-border-circa-12th-13th-century","title":"Medieval | Islamic Figural Ceramic Vessel with Kufic Motif Border | Circa 12th–13th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Persia \/ Syria (Raqqa ware tradition, Islamic world)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glazed earthenware pottery\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medieval Islamic Period, likely 12th–13th Century A.D.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis remarkable medieval Islamic glazed earthenware bowl exemplifies the refined ceramic traditions of the Seljuk-era Middle East. The vessel features a gently flared form with a small pedestal foot, its interior richly decorated with black-painted figural and vegetal motifs beneath a translucent yellow-green glaze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA stylized figure appears within the interior medallion, framed by scrolling vegetal ornament and a decorative border around the rim rendered in a Kufic-inspired pattern. The painterly black designs contrast beautifully with the mottled glaze tones ranging from olive green and honey yellow to earthy browns—hallmarks of medieval Persian and Syrian pottery workshops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuch bowls were both functional and symbolic objects, often used in domestic and ceremonial settings. Ceramics of this type were widely produced in centers such as Raqqa and Kashan during the height of Islamic artistic innovation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old collection label remains affixed to the underside of the vessel reading \u003cstrong\u003e“Rakka, Syrie 1350 F.”\u003c\/strong\u003e This historic label likely reflects an earlier attribution to the Raqqa ceramic tradition and suggests the bowl was once part of a private collection or dealer inventory where it was cataloged and valued.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Medieval Islamic glazed earthenware bowl\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Figural interior decoration with vegetal ornamentation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Kufic-style decorative border along the rim\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Yellow-green glaze with black painted designs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Raised pedestal foot typical of Seljuk-period pottery\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Strong archaeological patina and glaze craquelure\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCeramics from medieval Persia and Syria were among the most advanced artistic productions of the Islamic world. Workshops in cities such as Raqqa, Nishapur, and Kashan developed distinctive glazing and decorative techniques that influenced ceramic traditions across Asia and Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigural bowls such as this often combined storytelling imagery with decorative symbolism, reflecting the vibrant courtly culture of the Seljuk era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurface wear, glaze loss, and mineral encrustation consistent with significant age. Areas of abrasion and glaze degradation are present, as expected for ceramics of this period. The piece remains structurally stable and visually striking with strong historical patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiameter: 5 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e700–800 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore a comparable \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brooklynmuseum.org\/objects\/161334\" title=\"Medieval Islamic Raqqa Ware Bowl – Brooklyn Museum\"\u003eMedieval Islamic Raqqa ware ceramic bowl\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/middle-eastern-antiquities-ancient-art\/Middle-Eastern-Antiquities-\u0026amp;-Ancient-Art\" title=\"Middle Eastern Antiquities and Ancient Art – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eMiddle Eastern Antiquities \u0026amp; Ancient Art Collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic and Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52611708649794,"sku":null,"price":650.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/medieval-islamic-raqqa-ware-glazed-ceramic-bowl-seljuk-period.png?v=1774193463","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/es\/products\/medieval-islamic-figural-ceramic-vessel-with-kufic-motif-border-circa-12th-13th-century","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}