The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Bowl

Bowl

1000s
Location: not on view

Description

Lusterware

The theme of light is a dominant element in Islamic art. In ceramics, works made with a reflective metallic glaze, known as luster, were prized throughout the Islamic world and beyond. Developed first in Basra, Iraq, during the 700s with the rise of Islam along with sumptuary laws prohibiting the use of precious metal vessels, lusterware techniques soon spread to different regional centers, notably Málaga and Valencia in Spain.

Lusterware ceramics were created through a double-firing process: the first firing of the vessel with a lead and tin oxide glaze produced the smooth white ground, meant to emulate Chinese porcelain. Patterns were then painted on the white vessel with a glaze of copper and other metal oxides. Refiring at a low temperature yielded an iridescent luster. Tonalities varied from one region to another.
  • ?-1915
    (D. G. Kelekian [1867-1951], New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art through agent H. W. Kent [1866-1948])
    1915-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Al-Andalus: Art from Islamic Spain (Islamic art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 29, 2019-October 25, 2020).
  • {{cite web|title=Bowl|url=false|author=|year=1000s|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1915.642