Alms Bowl
18th-20th century
Description
This small bowl imitates so-called silhouette wares of the Seljuk-Atabeg period (twelfth to thirteenth century), on which black slip was applied directly to the white ceramic body and the pattern carved or incised through the slip before the vessel was covered in glaze (turquoise, as here, or colorless). Original bowls of this shape were purportedly used for collecting alms. Incised in cursive script on the upper part of this bowl are the words glory, good fortune, and prince; the other words in the inscription do not make sense together. On the lower body, carved lines separate the black slip into segments. The glaze has flowed heavily onto and under the foot, so that the vessel does not sit evenly.
Dimensions
5.9 x 11.2 cm (2 5/16 x 4 7/16 in.)
Provenance
Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (by 1974-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.
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