| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
Ali, A.
Islamic Archaeology dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo Univ., Giza, Egypt

Abstract:
The signatures of Muslim craftsmen recorded on some of their products, are considered the only source for identifying their names and artistic styles. These skillful potters are considered to be the main reason for the progress and prosperity of the Islamic ceramic industry. During the Abbasid era (132-656 AH/750-1250 AD), the glazed and decorated ceramics in blue and black colors were identified by recording the signatures of many of their makers. At the same time, contemporary historical sources in most cases- made no mention of these craftsmen. Therefore, this research aims to shed light on an unknown potter named “Suhayl” “سهيل ”, to show his artistic style, to identify some of the potter’s contemporaries, to attribute some ceramic pieces of that have no signatures to him and his contemporaries, and also to determine the time and place where he practiced his craft. All the previous explanations in this work are based on the signature of the potter mentioned above, which was recorded on two bowls.; The first bowl is in the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo under the registration number (16005), the second in the Metropolitan Museum in New York under the registration number (63.16.2).The above aims of this study are demonstrated by a detailed descriptive and analytical study of the two bowls mentioned and by comparing the signature of this potter with other contemporary potters, as well as by tracing the inscriptions on other products from the same period.

Keywords:
Abbasid era Craftsmen’s signatures Potters Glazed ceramics Suhayl

Statistics :
Article views: 4
PDF Downloads: 3