A large Umayyad turquoise-green glazed jar, Mesopotamia, 7th/8th century

This rare survival from the early Islamic period derives from Parthian and Sasanian protypes. With the influx of manufacturing and trade that occurred in line with the advent of Islam, many jars of this type were produced for storing and transporting goods, although the vast majority survive in fragmentary form. Fragments have been found across the Persian Gulf, East Africa, around the coast of India and South-East Asia, China and Japan, one of the earliest indicators of the vast network of trade at this time.

The precise dating of these vessels remains under discussion. Seth Priestman’s analysis of archaeological excavations of the Great Mosque at Siraf indicates that they were produced prior to the ninth century, on account of numismatic evidence as the latest coins from the site were dated 803-804 AD. Radiocarbon dating evidence from sites such as Sir Bani Yas has further suggested mid-seventh to mid-eighth century dating (Priestman 2016, p.9). Given the wide distribution of the jars, it is likely that the major centre of production was near to the maritime port at Basra (Priestman 2016, p.2).

Despite their intention to be functional objects, jars such as the present lot retain an impressive aesthetic appeal owing to their large size and sculptural, ovoid form, offset by small, looped handles. The arched appliqué ornament and turquoise glaze are typical decorative features, a precursor and foundation to the creative decorative techniques that would go on to be developed. The ovoid form and arched decoration of this jar is comparable to a jar excavated in Susa and now housed in the Louvre Museum (Lane 1947, pl.3) and another in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (inv. no.EA2005.85).