A Sgraffito Splashware Pottery Bowl, Persia, 10th century

the earthenware body incised with wave or scroll motifs radiating from the centre, enhanced with a splash application of green, brown and aubergine glazes

Croisier Collection, Switzerland

Céramiques islamiques dans les collections genevoises, Musée d'art et d'histoire, Geneva, 1981, p.14, no.14.
Treasures of Islam, Musée d'art et d'histoire, Geneva, 1985, p.221, no.216.
Céramiques du monde musulman, Institut du monde arabe, Paris, 1999, p.95.
Perpetual Glory, Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007.

Hali: Tapetes orientales y arte islamico, Mexico, 1994, p.21, no.57.
O. Pancaroglu, Perpetual Glory, Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007, p.86, no.44

overall good condition, broken on one side but near complete, restored with associated overpainting and touching up, 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."

Medieval Persian splashwares are characterised by their use of vigorous linear designs incised through the cream slip ground to reveal the dark body beneath. The dark contours are then counterbalanced with coloured glaze applications which bleed over and across the design in a way that appeals to a modern aesthetic. 

The relationship between early Islamic splashwares and Chinese sancai wares, which use a similar lead-glazed technology, has been much debated by scholars from Arthur Lane onwards (Lane, A., Early Islamic Pottery, London, 1947, pp.12-13), but the lack of direct correlation in terms of shapes and designs, and the notable absence of any cobalt blue in the Islamic wares, suggests that the traditions developed largely independently.