Bowl with seated figures by a stream

Made in Iran, 1200s

EA1956.33

This is an example of lustreware, a skilled technique in use in the Islamic world from the 800s. By recreating the shiny effect of precious metals but on a humbler medium, lustre might have provided a response to the prophetic tradition (Hadith) which states ‘he who eats from gold will have fire in his belly’.

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