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Collections

Ewer10th century

Not on view
Ceramic ewer with off-white glaze, bulbous body, long horizontal spout, and a band of bold Arabic script in dark olive-black around the widest point
Ceramic ewer with cream-white glaze, globular body tapering to a flared neck, with a long angled spout and loop handle, decorated with a bold Arabic inscription in dark brown across the shoulder.
Ceramic ewer with white glaze, globular body, flared neck, loop handle, and angled spout; Arabic script decoration in black and brown brushstrokes around the body.
Ceramic ewer with white glaze, globular body tapering to a cylindrical neck, with angled spout and looped handle; a band of Arabic script in black underglaze decorates the shoulder.
Title
Ewer
Place Made
Iran, Nishapur or Uzbekistan, Samarqand
Date Made
10th century
Medium
Earthenware, underglaze painted
Dimensions
4 1/4 x 6 3/4 in. (10.8 x 17.15 cm)
Credit Line
The Madina Collection of Islamic Art, gift of Camilla Chandler Frost
Accession Number
M.2002.1.14
Classification
Ceramics
Collecting Area
Art of the Middle East: Islamic
Curatorial Notes

Although we do not know what kind of liquid this vessel once held, we do know that it was meant for pouring but not into a cup. Rather the liquid would be poured directly into the user’s mouth without touching the lips to the spout. Arabic inscriptions on either side help establish its function and may even remind us of something in our own homes. It says: "Drink from it / Cheers" (or "To your health").

Selected Bibliography

  • Komaroff, Linda. "Islamic Art Now and Then." In Islamic Art: Past, Present, Future, edited by Sheila Blair and Jonathan Bloom, 26-56. New Haven, New York, and London: Yale University Press, 2019.

  • Komaroff, Linda, editor. Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; New York: DelMonico Books, 2023.