Bowl, Iran, 12th-13th century CE, fritware, with moulded decoration and blue and purple under a transparent glaze, 25 cm. Accession number AKM00551. The Aga Khan Museum © Copyright Aga Khan Museum

This object belongs to a distinct group of ceramics known as “Bamiyan” wares. Its ceramic make-up is characterised by a particularly fragile frit fabric that results in several cracks during firing, and the decoration tends to include moulded linear designs and inscriptions in low relief under a transparent coloured or colourless glaze, sometimes with the addition of coloured accents (Watson 2004, p. 327). This bowl contain geometric central designs, displaying an interlacing, radiating star. Splashes of cobalt blue and manganese have been applied at regular intervals around the rim to provide pleasing accents to the moulded white background. A band of cursive script, also part of the mould, fills the walls(perhaps containing poetic Persian verses). The three interior spur marks are a common feature in Bamiyan wares, evidence of their being stacked using tripods.