An Abbasid Lustre Pottery Bowl depicting a musician, Mesopotamia, 10th Century

of shallow rounded form with a slightly everted rim and narrow footring, the earthenware body painted in golden lustre on a cream ground, with a standing figure in the centre holding a tambourine against a dotted background, a single-line Kufic inscription on his left-hand side and underneath the base, the reverse with large stylised peacock eyes

Croisier Collection, Switzerland

Treasures of Islam, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva, 25 June - 27 October 1985

Treasures of Islam, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva, 1985, Additional Exhibits, p.396, no.572

Broken with associated repair, including considerable overpainting, minor surface abrasion, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

Inside: baraka 'amal (?) 'Blessing work (?)'
Under the base: possibly [bara]ka 'Blessing'

The present plate belongs to the group of ceramics termed by Ernst Grube "the First Abbasid Period" (Grube 1976, pp.44-80). Grube discusses these ceramics in the context of the development of lustre decoration on Islamic pottery and their importance as initiators and precursors of the future popularity of the lustre technique.

Furthermore, Grube explores the style of the human figures, such as the present musician, which are key to the iconography of Abbasid lustreware. Such figures are represented in a wide variety of poses: standing alone, holding an object, on horseback or together with another figure. The figure on the present dish appears to be holding a tambourine and belongs to a fully-evolved repertoire depicting the recreational and pleasurable activities of the court. The dish was exhibited at Musée d'Art et d'Histoire in Geneva in 1985 and is included in the section "Additional Exhibits", p.396, no.572, of the Sotheby's/Philip Wilson edition of the catalogue.