A rare and important Abbasid lustre bowl with stylised vegetal decoration, Iraq or Tunisia, second half 9th Century

of deep rounded form with an everted rim on a short foot, the body composed of earthenware painted in lustre on an opaque white glaze, decorated with stylised vegetal motifs and two bands of leafy scrolls in the well, the rim with a zig-zag pattern, the exterior with swirling floral motifs

Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007.

O. Pancaroglu, Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007, p.46, no.6.

In general good condition, broken and restored with some overpainting, some areas of restoration lightly flaking, 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."

A similar bowl was sold in these rooms, 5 October 2010, A Princely Collection: Treasures from the Islamic World, lot 60; and another is to be found in the Museum of the Great Mosque of Qairawan (see London 1976, no.260). The similarity of these and the present bowl to lustre tilework in the Great Mosque in Qairawan dating to circa AD 862 and said to have been executed by 'a man from Baghdad', leaves open the possibility that these vessels were executed by an itinerant Iraqi workshop in North Africa in the late 9th century.