Small Millefiori Bowl

Unknown

9th century · Glass, blue and opaque white mosaic; fused and slumped, probably ground and polished, applied disk foot · Islamic Art

The millefiori technique was rediscovered in the eighth or ninth century in Mesopotamia and was probably used in the production of objects for the ‘Abbasid caliphs in Baghdad or Samarra. A number of surviving bowls and tiles suggest that it was used both for domestic furnishings and interior decoration. The small size of this bowl suggests that this shallow object was meant to be embossed in a plaster wall.

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th century

Medium

Glass, blue and opaque white mosaic; fused and slumped, probably ground and polished, applied disk foot

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art, 1990