ISLAMIC BOWL
From the area of either Iran, or Transoxiana, Nishapur or Samarkand, this bowl is dated to the 10th century CE. Nishapur and Samarkand were great trade centers as well as centers of Islamic art. The design around the edge of the bowl is actually something written in the Arabic language. The incorportation of writing into design is one aspect of the art of Calligraphy. This has become a highly specialzed skill in the Islamic world since the Arabic language has such importance for religion. The Kufic script states: "Planning before work protects you from regret. Prosperity and peace."
Points to Ponder:
-- If the script is sacred, why use it on something as common as a bowl?
--Why would Arabic script become so much a part of Islamic art? Why not paint something else?