Bowl with concentric bands of epigraphic decoration
Iranian; Artist Unknown, Iran or Transoxiana
Description
Geometric patterns and artful writing constitute the most common motifs on ceramics produced in northeastern Iran and central Asia in the tenth century. While in other examples of epigraphic decoration the inscription contains well-wishings for the user of the vessel, in most instances, such as this dish, it is the beauty of the Arabic script itself that is the object of aesthetic enjoyment. Here, the inscription appears in white against alternating concentric bands of red and brown. The overall dynamic effect of motion, projection and recession is visually stabilized by the centrally positioned dot at the base of the bowl.
Yasser Tabbaa, Consulting Curator, 6/15/2005
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