A large Umayyad or early Abbasid turquoise glazed jar, Syria or western Iran, circa 7th-9th century

the ovoid body moulded with a meandering band of beading around the shoulder, with six arched strap handles between the shoulder and flanged rim, small rosettes in relief in between

This type of alkaline-glazed pottery, intended for storage of food stuffs or drinking water, had been produced in kilns along the Upper Euphrates since at least the Parthian period continuing through the Umayyad and early Abbasid periods, with subtle changes in shape and design. The distinctive silvery  iridescence  offset by the turquoise glaze only adds to their decorative appeal.  Their story is also fascinating, for examples have been found as far afield as Fujian province in China. A tomb at Lotus Peak on the outskirts of Fuzhou, dedicated to one Liu Hua, who died in A.D. 930, wife of King Wang Yangjun of the Min Kingdom (A.D. 909-945), yielded three similar turquoise-glazed jars, testament to the trading activities of Persian and Arab merchants along the southern coast of China at this time.