Kashan Black and White Lustre Vase

Lustre, having been first used on glazed pottery in ninth century Iraq, became very popular in the tenth--twelfth centuries in Fatimid Egypt, and then reached new heights in Seljuk Iran in the 13th century, before the Mongol invasions. The centre of the Persian lustre industry was Kashan. In the twelfth century, Muslim potters developed a new and finer material than clay called "fritware" (also known as stonepaste).

This bottle is exemplary of the refined state of fabric, quality and design that one might expect of the genre. The regimental double "half--moon" emblem is a characteristic adornment and is used here to great effect. The decoration is expertly painted by a quick and artful hand and has the vive and energy which reflects the quick draw. The neck of the bottle is swollen toward the top, forming a bulbous gathering space to control the flow of liquid.