Ewer with Birds and Animals

Unknown

10th century · Glass, colorless; blown, folded foot, applied handle, cut · Islamic Art

This ewer decorated with quadrupeds and birds in roundels, probably made in Nishapur, is one of the best examples of glass vessels with wheel-cut designs. The two roundels on either side of the handle show long-tailed birds, and the third bears a crouching lion. While this was the only glass vessel found at Nishapur with a pattern of roundels around its body, the decoration type is known from other examples of Sasanian and Islamic metalwork, textiles, ceramics, and glass. Broken when excavated, it has been reassembled from approximately twenty pieces and its surface retains slight traces of iridescence.

Artist

Unknown

Date

10th century

Medium

Glass, colorless; blown, folded foot, applied handle, cut

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1939