Pitcher with Foliate Carving

23 Pitcher with foliate carving Iran, Seljuk-Atabeg period, 12th century Fritware with carved decoration under turquoise (copper) transparent alkali glaze 11.6 × 20.4 cm (4 9/16 × 8 1/16 in.) 2002.50.98 The decoration on the body of this pitcher is incised, rather than molded (see cats. 21 and 22), and consists of highly stylized leaf forms. Squat in shape, the pitcher has a lobed rim and three handles topped with flower heads in relief. Although its decoration is common on other monochrome incised pitchers, its wide mouth and handles are a rarity; the knobs above the handles indicate that it follows a metal prototype. The turquoise glaze that covers both interior and exterior of the body terminates thickly above the foot. Despite several repairs, particularly around the base, the vessel retains its original form. Ayşin Yoltar-Yıldırım