Abstract:
One of the most common forms of pottery in the Islamic world is the so-called “Albarello” potteries which offer a huge variety in terms of decoration and techniques. It seems there is no specific study on the form, preparation technique, and decoration of this pottery form so far. This research aimed to investigate and identify this pottery form and its decoration properties in Muslim world from Iran to the north of Africa. Based on the study performed, Albarello potteries can be classified under two groups: the potteries with a cylindrical and slightly concave (vase-shaped) body and those with a convex body. Cylindrical concave potteries are utilized for keeping dry drugs such as spices and ointment, and convex potteries are used for storing liquid drugs. The production of these potteries has been widespread in Iran since the 4th century AH. The expansion of pottery techniques in the middle of Seljuqs dynasty has had a direct relationship with the mass production of these potteries (Luster pottery) in Iran and western regions of the Islamic world such as Syria, Egypt, and Spain.
Machine summary:
Since until now, most emphasis regarding the nature of the influences of Iranian and western Islamic countries' pottery art has been placed on the effects of lusterware, the authors in this research will undertake a case study of one of the ceramic types common between Iran and the western regions of the Islamic world, known as "Albarello," which has not yet received a precise study regarding its various aspects, including: form, manufacturing technique, and decoration, as well as its origins and ancient examples, the most important production centers, and the influence and contribution of the pottery traditions of countries such as Iran, Syria, and Egypt in the development of this pottery form.
10 In addition to these, the first step in the precise identification of some Albarello samples in the Islamic world is Haddon's 11 doctoral dissertation titled "Delicate Glazed Vessels of the Eighth Century AH Produced in Iran, and Comparison with Their Contemporary Samples from the Absolute Ceramics Group to 'Golden Camp' and the Mamluks of Egypt and Syria," which focuses on the shape and pattern of the motifs of this ceramic form during the Ilkhanid and Mamluk periods;12 although he also, in this work, has not examined many pre-Ilkhanid and even Ilkhanid samples; samples whose study could have contributed to our understanding of the precise evolution of form, manufacturing technique, and decorative characteristics of the Albarello in each period and 7.
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