Persian, Bowl with Design of Bird and Flowers, Samanid dynasty, 10th–11th century, Gurgan or Sari, Mazandaran province, Iran. Sari ware; earthenware with white slip and polychrome slip decoration under transparent glaze; height: 7.9 cm, diameter of mouth: 20.3 cm, diameter of foot: 8.6 cm. Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Purchase, 30:1954.

This bowl from northern Iran, with the bird and surrounding flowers that resemble lollipops, is typical of wares often attributed to the town of Sari on the coast of the Caspian Sea. It is also a good example of figural decoration in Islamic art. One common misconception about Islamic art is that figural decoration is not allowed. Generally, figural decoration does appear on secular objects from most regions during most eras.