A fine Abbasid Lustre Bowl with stylised vegetal and geometric decoration, Iraq, 10th century

of rounded form on a short foot with a lightly curved bowl and splayed edge, the earthenware body painted in lustre on an opaque white glaze, decorated with stylised vegetal and geometric motifs, the exterior with a triangular pattern

Sold at Sotheby's, 10 October 1978, lot 9.
ex-Croisier Collection, Switzerland

Céramiques Islamiques dans les collections Genevoises, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva, 1981.
Treasures of Islam, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva, 1985.
Céramiques du Monde Musulman, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, 1999.
Iraq and China: Ceramics, Trade, and Innovation, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 4 December 2004–17July 2005.
Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics From the Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007.

Céramiques Islamiques dans les collections Genevoises, Geneva, 1981, p.23, no.30.
Treasures of Islam, Geneva, 1985, p.212, no.201.
Céramiques du Monde Musulman, Paris, 1999, pp.124-125.
O. Pancaroglu, Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics from The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, Chicago, 2007, p.54, no.14.

In good condition, once broken and restored, with associated overpainting, few small chips to rim and foot ring, some light scratches and rubbing to surface, 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."

This elegant bowl is decorated with abstract vegetal forms organised in a geometric design. The serrated palmettes represent a particularly rare motif and can be compared with similar ones on a dish in the Kuwait National Museum (inv. no. LNS 100C), illustrated in Watson 2004, p.190. no. Cat. E.10, and Milan 2010, p.52, fig.12.