Pitcher with Foliate Carving
12th century
Description
The decoration on the body of this pitcher is incised and consists of highly stylized leaf forms. Squat in shape, the pitcher has a lobed rim and three handles topped with flower heads in relief. Although its decoration is common on other monochrome incised pitchers, its wide mouth and handles are a rarity; the knobs above the handles indicate that it follows a metal prototype. The turquoise glaze that covers both interior and exterior of the body terminates thickly above the foot. Despite several repairs, particularly around the base, the vessel retains its original form.
Dimensions
11.6 x 20.4 cm (4 9/16 x 8 1/16 in.)
Provenance
[Mansour Gallery, London, 1973], sold; to Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (1973-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.
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