This bold earthenware dish has decoration incised (hence “Sgraffiato”) through a white slip, with lively coloring in purple and green bringing a warm ethnic energy to the piece, under a transparent glaze. The decoration of the bowl consists of concentric circles each containing various energetic and lively shapes and patterns reflecting the original artist’s swift and deft work. The green and manganese purple/brown “splash” paintwork adds to the sense of vivos and vitality. Significant parts of the bowl are covered with a characteristic star shaped rosette and teardrop shaped leaves, as well as the ubiquitous loose spiraling and spiral flowers.

The incised wares of Eastern Ancient Iran (present day Afghanistan) have only emerged in fairly recent archeological publications. They represent a very widespread and diverse manufacture. Significant quantities have survived in very good condition, like the associated fritwares. This dish resembles those first reported from the site of Bamiyan (see Gardin, 1957; especially pls 2-3). Its decoration derives from metalwork.
For comparable examples see Oliver Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, cataloging the Al-Sabah Collection in the Kuwait National Museum, 2004. cat. Ie.1.

Also Earnst J. Grube, Cobalt and Lustre, The Nasser D. Khallili Collection of Islamic Art, 1994. Bowl, sgraffiato and splashed ware. Buff earthenware, coated with a ground yellow slip into which the design is incised. There is a round medallion at the base showing simple scrolls, surrounded by a six-pointed star and scrolls, while the cavetto is decorated with by five pairs of large petals and scrolls in-between; splashes of green, and manganese-purple.
Iran or Central Asia, 12th century.
Comparative material: for similar Bamiyan pottery, cf. Khalili Collection, 1994, pp.312-17.
Prof. Geza Fehervar Prof. Geoffrey Kin