Cup with Lobed Rim and Human Faces

Unknown artist

12th century

Fritware with molded relief decoration under blue (cobalt) transparent alkali glaze

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

A blue fritware cup with a lobed rim is decorated with molded relief of human faces. The cup has a transparent alkali glaze with visible crackling. This cup is decorated with repeated human heads molded in relief. The lobed rim follows the contours of the projecting heads, which feature large, almond-eyed faces.The deep blue glaze covers the interior and exterior body of the cup and has flowed onto the base. On one side, it has deteriorated, becoming iridescent. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Norma Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art