9th century
Town probably Basra,
Iraq
Iraq
Object qualities
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Objecttableware: Plate
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumEarthenware; luster-painted on opaque white glaze
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SizeH. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm) Diam. of rim: 16 in. (40.6 cm)
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Geography detailsAttributed to
Town probably Basra,
Iraq -
Country today
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Date9th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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A highly stylized, flowering bush fills the center of this plate, its blooming flowers scattered over the surface of the plate in a pattern recalling mosaics or millefiori glass. The word mulk (“sovereignty”) repeats in kufic around the flat rim, possibly as an abbreviation of the common calligraphic saying al-mulk lillah (“sovereignty belongs to God”).
