Earthenware dish with molded decoration covered by a yellow and green glaze
Iraq; 9th century
H: 2; Diam: 17 cm
Ceramics with a molded or stamped decoration in relief inspired by Roman or Sasanian metalwork is known from as early as the Umayyad period. This flat dish, with its distinctive Arabic inscription in Kufi calligraphy, is a further development of this type and is also an example of a pure and harmonious Islamic style that was found in Abbasid Iraq.
Only a few examples of pottery with entire mottos have been preserved from this period. Although the dish is broken, nothing is missing. The wise inscription reads, “Patience is the key to victory. Blessings!” and the word “victory” is highlighted with a green glaze, while the rest is covered with a yellow glaze.
Inv. no. 50/1999
Published in:
Drouot-Richelieu 2/7-1993, lot 116;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat. 99;
Sheila S. Blair and Jonathan M. Bloom (eds.): Cosmophilia. Islamic Art from the David Collection, Copenhagen, McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, Boston 2006, cat. 37;
Joachim Meyer, Rasmus Bech Olsen and Peter Wandel: Beyond words: calligraphy from the World of Islam, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2024, cat. 52, p. 191;
