This is a beautiful ceramic jug decorated with brown and blue paint, and covered with a transparent glaze. The jug is supported by a ring which is concave in shape. The bulbous belly is separated into four quarters that are painted with ornamental patterns composed of stylized crosses and plants / calligraphies. The handle is attached to the flaring neck and the belly of the jug. The paint has partially faded and the glaze flakes in some places.

The glaze was applied with a brush over the paint before firing, as indicated by the drip along the foot. The surface was left undecorated there, so as to allow the craftsman to hold the object during the application of the last layer. Glaze chipping and cracking are rather usual in the Syrian production of Raqqa and are linked to the technique of the luster ceramic used for this piece. This phenomenon also causes a shimmering that makes the Raqqa potteries even more valuable.
The ancient northern Syrian caravan city, located near a high bank of the Euphrates, was a major production center for terracotta vessels under the Ayyubids, until being conquered by the Mongols in 1259. Remains of ovens and pottery firing debris have been discovered, proving, in a somewhat unique way, the activity which was practiced there. A large number of wares have been found there, as well as shards, enabling us to develop a good knowledge of the production of this piece, which differs both by the shape of the dinnerware and by the technique of the luster ceramic painted in brown, black and blue colors, and coated with transparent or turquoise glazes.

Jugs related to ours are housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Arts (inv. 48.113.12) and in the collection of the Ashmolan Museum (inv. 1978.2172).

All e-Tiquities have been searched in the Art Loss Register database.