Plate Depicting a Flowering Bush in Two-Toned Luster

Unknown

9th century · Earthenware; luster-painted on opaque white glaze · Islamic Art

A highly stylized, flowering bush fills the center of this plate, its blooming flowers scattered over the surface of the plate in a pattern recalling mosaics or millefiori glass. The word mulk ("sovereignty") repeats in kufic around the flat rim, possibly as an abbreviation of the common calligraphic saying al-mulk lillah ("sovereignty belongs to God").

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th century

Medium

Earthenware; luster-painted on opaque white glaze

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1976