Lot 143: TWO NISHAPUR SLIP-PAINTED POTTERY CONICAL BOWLS, PERSIA, 10TH CENTURY

Each bowl features a conical form with tapered sides and a slightly raised footring. The interior surfaces are coated in a cream-coloured slip and decorated with underglaze painting in black pigment under a transparent glaze. The larger bowl displays a central band of stylised Kufic script consisting of vertical ascenders and connected loops along a horizontal baseline. Its rim is finished with a border of repeating inverted arcs containing foliate scrolls. The smaller bowl features a central rectangular panel containing three geometric blocks with diagonal cross-hatching, representing a highly stylised Kufic script, above a horizontal baseline with a curved terminal. The rim of the smaller bowl is decorated with a similar border of repeating arcades and foliate motifs. The exteriors are undecorated, showing the natural earthenware body through the glaze.

Largest diameter: 27cm.