Buff Ware Fragment with Animal Decoration

Unknown

9th century · Earthenware; polychrome decoration under transparent glaze (buff ware) · Islamic Art

The buff clay fabric used to make this vessel forms the background to an overall decoration of animals, including birds and horned and spotted quadrupeds. Interspersed between them are small geometric motifs. None of these features seems to carry a meaning; they were simply a design innovation of the Nishapur potters.

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th century

Medium

Earthenware; polychrome decoration under transparent glaze (buff ware)

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1938