absolutely love the kufic calligraphy on this 10th century bowl from nishapur, iran. it's at the met.

Ceramiche Persiane IX-XIV Secolo - Michail

a cura di Giovanni Curatola

Michail, Ancient & Islamic Pottery, Milano 1993, 103 pagine, 23x23cm,

euro 45,00

email if you want to buy [email protected]

Mostra Milano Michail c/o Galleria Garzanti Via Spiga 30

Cento emozioni nella preziosa ed elegante collezione di ceramiche antiche ideata e realizzata da Louise Michail e la figlia Narghes Sorgato, frutto di un’appassionata e competente ricerca di anni. Piccoli capolavori dell’arte fittile prodotti in Persia tra il IX e il XIV secolo. Rare ceramiche da Nishapur, con decorazioni a macchie, a stampo, epigrafiche, spesso recanti interessanti ornamentazioni a tema naturalistico, realizzate con la tecnica a lustro metallico sotto invetriatura. Uno scroscio di genialità ed estro proveniente dalle steppe centro-asiatiche, ricca di soluzioni tecniche sofisticate, frutto di sperimentazioni continue e originali. Cerchi immaginifici, monocromatici o in vivaci bicromie, per questi preziosi reperti medievali, ognuno dei quali ci racconta una storia, talvolta ci reca attraverso i secoli un messaggio a contenuto beneaugurale capace di emozionare come se fosse stato scritto ai giorni nostri.

Speaking Object: Bowl with Arabic Inscription, November 3, 2022

Listen to the proverb on this epigraphic slip-painted bowl. The Speaking Object project gives voice to inscribed works of art from the Islamic world.

The Met

Bowl with Arabic Inscription, 10th century

From Iran, Nishapur

Earthenware; white slip with black-slip decoration under transparent glaze

H. 7 in. (17.8 cm), Diam. 18 in. (45.7 cm)

The calligraphic decoration on this bowl reads "Planning before work protects you from regret; prosperity and peace," but the shortening, bending, and elongation of the letters has transformed the words into abstract motifs of tremendous power. With its monumental presence and the artful arrangement of its letters, in which vertical flourishes punctuate the horizontal flow of the words at rhythmic intervals, this bowl stands out among the many other inscribed ceramics of the same period.

10th century ceramics from Nishapur, Iran, from various private and public collections. I just love these. They are so modern in style.

Chess Set, 12th century, Attributed to Iran, Nishapur,

This nearly complete chess set is one of the earliest extant examples in the world. The pieces are abstract forms: the shah (king) is represented as a throne; the vizier (the equivalent of the queen) is a smaller throne; the elephant (bishop) has two tusklike protrusions; the horse (knight) has a triangular knob representing its head; the chariot (rook) is rectangular with a wedge at the top; and the pawns are faceted hemispheres with knobs.

Stonepaste; Molded and Glazed

Dimensions: Largest piece (King) H. 2 in. 5.5 cm, Diam. 2 1/8 in. (4.4 cm),

Small piece (pawn) H. 3.3 cm, Diam. 2.9 cm,

Juvaini on the Fall of Nishapur

Continuing our series on primary sources, in this video we look at the thirteenth century Persian historian Juvaini's description of the siege of Nishapur and ensuing massacre -also connecting to our video on Mongol Massacres in the Khwarezmain Empire.  Along the way, you get to see a bit on Mongol siege tactics, as well as Juvaini's rather flowery prose. 

 Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/jackmeister 

 Letters from Chinggis Khan and Qiu Chuji: https://youtu.be/Vo-yjB_KZak 

Mongol Massacres in the Khwarezmian Empire: https://youtu.be/9tVjMuKURxw 

Temur Malik: a Khwarezmian who Defied the Mongols: https://youtu.be/Z-X0VEDHMP4 

Jebe and Subtuai: Pursuit of the Shah and the Caucasus: https://youtu.be/Q-vJU_cIiL0