Bowl

Object Details

• Description

  Bowl: bold foot rim. Clay: soft, compact, buff-white. Glaze: glossy greenish cream; crazed. Decoration: painted in coppery lustre with ruby reflections over glaze.

• Label

  Figural representations also played a prominent role in luster-painted ceramics from twelfth century Egypt. Although the vessels were made from coarser clay than the earlier Iraqi examples, the decoration, like much of the art of the Fatimid period (909-1171), tended to be more animated and naturalistic. The plate is also embellished with an inscription bestowing good wishes on its anonymous owner.

  The small bowl is entirely decorated with individual words, such as "pleasure," "happiness," and "wealth." Using an ornate kufic, or angular script, the potter has drawn on the decorative qualities of the written words to create a rather unusual design.

• Provenance

  From at least 1935-1936

  Kouchakji Frères, New York, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  From 1936

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Kouchakji Frères, New York [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See November 19, 1935 letter from Fahim Kouchakji to J.E. Lodge, wherein Kouchakji acknowledges the return of several objects, but writes “I notice you still have one of the Syro-Egyptian Bowls, the one you liked.” Founded in 1890 and specializing in Syrian, Alexandrian, Roman and Arabic antiquities, this family firm of art dealers had galleries in Aleppo, Paris and New York. By 1929, Fahim Kouchakji (1886-1976) purchased all shares in the business and became sole proprietor.

  [2] See February 14, 1936 invoice for purchase, with note in pencil that the object was approved on February 3, 1936, in object file.

  Research updated December 1, 2022

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)

  Near Eastern Ceramics (June 24, 1982 to September 23, 1982)

  Near Eastern Ceramics (May 14, 1981 to May 10, 1985)

  Art of the Arab World (August 15, 1980 to May 13, 1981)

  Art of the Arab World (May 8, 1975 to August 20, 1977)

  Ceramics from the World of Islam (January 16, 1974 to July 1, 1974)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Fahim Kouchakji

• Origin

  Egypt

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1200s

• Name

  Fahim Kouchakji

• Place

  Egypt

• Topic

  Art, Pottery, Arts of the Islamic World, Ceramics, Fatimid period (909 - 1171)

• Culture

  Muslims

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)