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Bowl with Kufic Calligraphy

Arts of the Islamic World

On View: Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor
The Arabic inscription on this bowl reads, “Planning before work protects from regrets; patience is the key to comfort.”
MEDIUM Ceramic; earthenware, painted in brown slip on a white slip ground under a transparent glaze
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
DATES 10th century
PERIOD Samanid Period
DIMENSIONS 5 1/16 in. (12.9 cm) diameter: 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm)  (show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS In Arabic (Kufic script), "التدبیر قبل العمل یؤمنک من الندم، الصبر مففتاح الفرج” [Planning before work protects from regrets; patience is the key to comfort]. The two proverbs written on this bowl are attributed to Imam `Ali. The proverbs were published by Abdullah Ghouchani in “Inscriptions on Nishapur Pottery” (1986, see Bibliography for full citation in English and Persian). In Arabic (Kufic script), "Planning before work protects from regrets; patience is the key to comfort." The two proverbs written on this bowl are attributed to Imam `Ali. The proverbs were published by Abdullah Ghouchani in “Inscriptions on Nishapur Pottery” (1986, see Bibliography for full citation in English and Persian). Inscription read by Abdullah Ghouchani
ACCESSION NUMBER 86.227.8
CREDIT LINE Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
PROVENANCE Prior to 1956, provenance not yet documented; by 1956, acquired by Ernest Erickson of New York, NY; December 16, 1986, gift of Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc. to the Brooklyn Museum.
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CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Large bowl with flaring sides. Ceramic, transparent colorless glaze, brown slip, white englobe, buff earthenware body. Huge Kufic characters form with center rosette the interior design, outside plain.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor
CAPTION Bowl with Kufic Calligraphy, 10th century. Ceramic; earthenware, painted in brown slip on a white slip ground under a transparent glaze, 5 1/16 in. (12.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.8. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.227.8_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 86.227.8_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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