Fragmentary earthenware bowl, painted in luster over an opaque, white glaze, Egypt, 11th century H: 6.5; Diam: 28 cm, Inv. no. 3/1992. © The David Collection, Copenhagen.

Birds were a favorite motif for Fatimid lusterware. The partly reconstructed bowl shows two symmetrical birds in the center, while fowl with large head crests – a motif that goes back to pre-Islamic times – are found in the tendrils.

This bowl is painted in a style, where the birds and the foliage appear as large silhouettes without decoration. The painter placed his signature along the rim on the right: “muslim.” This signature is also found on other Fatimid lusterware.