Jump to content

Raqqa ware: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Maiyyan (talk | contribs)
20 edits
Fleshed out introduction
Tags: nowiki added Visual edit
Maiyyan (talk | contribs)
20 edits
Added process of production
Line 1: Line 1:
[[File:Jar Met 56.185.15.jpg|thumb|An incomplete Raqqa ware jar, c. 1200, currently held at the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]]]
<br />[[File:Jar Met 56.185.15.jpg|thumb|An incomplete Raqqa ware jar, c. 1200, currently held at the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]]]
'''Raqqa '''or '''Rakka''' '''ware''' is a style of [[Lusterware|lustreware]] [[ceramic]] pottery that was a mainstay of the economy of [[Raqqa]] in northeastern [[Syria]] during the [[Ayyubid dynasty]].<ref name=":0">"Raqqah ware | Definition & Facts". ''Encyclopedia Britannica''. Retrieved 2018-12-12.</ref> Though the ceramics were varied in character, they have been identified during the 20th century by on-site excavations that securely linked the highly sought-after surviving pieces to Raqqa. However, Raqqa was not the only production cite and Raqqa Ware has been found at various locations on the [[Euphrates]], such as [[Barbalissos|Qala'at Balis]].<ref>Blair, Sheila S., Jonathan M. Bloom, et. al. 2003 "Islamic art." ''Grove Art Online.''12 Dec. 2018. <nowiki>http://www.oxfordartonline.com/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000041771</nowiki>.</ref> The pieces typically have a white body covered in siliceous glaze, with decorations in brown luster or blue and back [[underglaze]].<ref name=":0" /> The glazes most often vary in both transparency and shades of turquoise, however other colors were also used. <ref name=":0" /> Raqqa ware typically consists of kitchen items such as jars, dishes, and bowls with basic shapes that served everyday purposes such as storage.<ref name=":1">Milwright, M. (2002-09-01). "Review: Ceramics of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum * Geza Fehervari: Ceramics of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum". ''Journal of Islamic Studies''. '''13''' (3): 368–369. [[Digital object identifier|doi]]:10.1093/jis/13.3.368. [[International Standard Serial Number|ISSN]] 0955-2340.</ref> Some sculptural figures exist, and though their original purpose is debated, they are thought to be toys or decorations for the home.<ref name=":1" />
'''Raqqa '''or '''Rakka''' '''ware''' is a style of [[Lusterware|lustreware]] [[ceramic]] pottery that was a mainstay of the economy of [[Raqqa]] in northeastern [[Syria]] during the [[Ayyubid dynasty]].<ref name=":0">"Raqqah ware | Definition & Facts". ''Encyclopedia Britannica''. Retrieved 2018-12-12.</ref> Though the ceramics were varied in character, they have been identified during the 20th century by on-site excavations that securely linked the highly sought-after surviving pieces to Raqqa.<ref name=":2">[http://islamicceramics.ashmolean.org/Raqqa/characte.htm Ashmolean Museum: Characteristics of Raqqa lustre.]</ref> However, Raqqa was not the only production cite and Raqqa Ware has been found at various locations on the [[Euphrates]], such as [[Barbalissos|Qala'at Balis]].<ref>Blair, Sheila S., Jonathan M. Bloom, et. al. 2003 "Islamic art." ''Grove Art Online.''12 Dec. 2018. <nowiki>http://www.oxfordartonline.com/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000041771</nowiki>.</ref> The pieces typically have a white body covered in siliceous glaze, with decorations in brown luster or blue and back [[underglaze]].<ref name=":0" /> The glazes most often vary in both transparency and shades of turquoise, however other colors were also used. <ref name=":0" /> Raqqa ware typically consists of kitchen items such as jars, dishes, and bowls with basic shapes that served everyday purposes such as storage.<ref name=":1">Milwright, M. (2002-09-01). "Review: Ceramics of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum * Geza Fehervari: Ceramics of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum". ''Journal of Islamic Studies''. '''13''' (3): 368–369. [[Digital object identifier|doi]]:10.1093/jis/13.3.368. [[International Standard Serial Number|ISSN]] 0955-2340.</ref> Some sculptural figures exist, and though their original purpose is debated, they are thought to be toys or decorations for the home.<ref name=":1" />


==Ceramics==
== Production ==


Raqqa Ware ceramics are generally made with a coarse [[Fritware|stonepaste]] that appears reddish-grey before firing. <ref name=":2" /> Occasionally, while the stonepaste was still wet, the piece's exterior was either [[Engraving|engraved]] or [[Embossing|embossed]] to add [[relief]] decoration.<ref>Talmon-Heller, Daniella, editor. Cytryn-Silverman, Katia,. ''Material evidence and narrative sources : interdisciplinary studies of the history of the Muslim Middle East''. [[International Standard Book Number|ISBN]] [[Special%3ABookSources/9789004271593|9789004271593]]. [[OCLC]] 903185722.</ref> After drying, the [[frit]] body was then covered in a layer of white slip.<ref name=":2" /> [[Monochrome]] and [[polychrome]] [[Underglaze|underglazes]] with stains of either [[copper]] (turquoise), [[cobalt]] (blue) or [[manganese]] (purplish-brown) were then applied. The pieces were also decorated with designs in black and blue at this stage.<ref name=":0" /> Decorative patterning, though bold, was typically simple.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Some works exhibit complex patterning, but the most humble are completed with just a turquoise glaze.<ref name=":2" /> Recurring shapes include [[Arabic calligraphy|calligraphy]], faux calligraphy, spirals, [[Trefoil|trefoils]], vegetal patterns and [[arabesque]].<ref>Marilyn, Jenkins-Madina (2006). ''Raqqa revisited: Ceramics of Ayyubid Syria''. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 11. [[International Standard Book Number|ISBN]] [[Special%3ABookSources/1588391841|1588391841]]. [[OCLC]] 822993516.</ref> The ornamental patterns and shapes on Raqqa Wares are not precise, and the materials used were coarse and inexpensive; this suggests that these wares were created for the middle and lower classes.<ref name=":2" /> After drying, the ceramics were further covered in a thick layer of [[Glaze (painting technique)|glaze]], typically in various shades of turquoise, however a [[Lusterware|lustre]] layer, of chocolate, reddish-brown or gray colors, could also be used.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Alan., Caiger-Smith, (2001). ''Lustre pottery : technique, tradition, and innovation in Islam and the Western world''. Gentle Breeze. [[International Standard Book Number|ISBN]] [[Special%3ABookSources/0571135072|0571135072]]. [[OCLC]] 64245940.</ref> The resulting works are simple ceramics with bright coloring and bold decoration.<ref name=":0" /><ref>"Jar". ''www.metmuseum.org''. Retrieved 2018-11-28.</ref> Most often, Raqqa Ware is turquoise, but purple, deep blue, and pale green pieces exist.<ref>[[Freer Gallery of Art|''Freer Gallery of Art''.]] Smithsonian Institution. 1980.</ref>
Raqqa's ceramics were varied in character, but have been identified during the 20th century by on-site excavations that securely linked the highly sought-after surviving pieces to Raqqa.<ref>[http://islamicceramics.ashmolean.org/Raqqa/characte.htm Ashmolean Museum: Characteristics of Raqqa lustre.]</ref> Over a heavily potted body of coarse [[Islamic stone-paste|stone-paste]] often covered with a white [[Slip (ceramics)|slip]], monochrome and polychrome underglaze stains of [[copper]] (turquoise), [[cobalt]] (blue) or [[manganese]] (purplish-brown) were covered with a greenish clear glaze and fired. [[Lustreware]] was also developed at Raqqa, after the [[Fatimid]] collapse in Egypt (1171), which until then had been the only center of lustreware production.<ref>[http://islamicceramics.ashmolean.org/Raqqa/characte.htm Ashmolean Museum: the history of lustreware in Syria].</ref>


==Collections==
==Collections==

Revision as of 20:47, 12 December 2018


An incomplete Raqqa ware jar, c. 1200, currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Raqqa or Rakka ware is a style of lustreware ceramic pottery that was a mainstay of the economy of Raqqa in northeastern Syria during the Ayyubid dynasty.[1] Though the ceramics were varied in character, they have been identified during the 20th century by on-site excavations that securely linked the highly sought-after surviving pieces to Raqqa.[2] However, Raqqa was not the only production cite and Raqqa Ware has been found at various locations on the Euphrates, such as Qala'at Balis.[3] The pieces typically have a white body covered in siliceous glaze, with decorations in brown luster or blue and back underglaze.[1] The glazes most often vary in both transparency and shades of turquoise, however other colors were also used. [1] Raqqa ware typically consists of kitchen items such as jars, dishes, and bowls with basic shapes that served everyday purposes such as storage.[4] Some sculptural figures exist, and though their original purpose is debated, they are thought to be toys or decorations for the home.[4]

Production

Raqqa Ware ceramics are generally made with a coarse stonepaste that appears reddish-grey before firing. [2] Occasionally, while the stonepaste was still wet, the piece's exterior was either engraved or embossed to add relief decoration.[5] After drying, the frit body was then covered in a layer of white slip.[2] Monochrome and polychrome underglazes with stains of either copper (turquoise), cobalt (blue) or manganese (purplish-brown) were then applied. The pieces were also decorated with designs in black and blue at this stage.[1] Decorative patterning, though bold, was typically simple.[1][2] Some works exhibit complex patterning, but the most humble are completed with just a turquoise glaze.[2] Recurring shapes include calligraphy, faux calligraphy, spirals, trefoils, vegetal patterns and arabesque.[6] The ornamental patterns and shapes on Raqqa Wares are not precise, and the materials used were coarse and inexpensive; this suggests that these wares were created for the middle and lower classes.[2] After drying, the ceramics were further covered in a thick layer of glaze, typically in various shades of turquoise, however a lustre layer, of chocolate, reddish-brown or gray colors, could also be used.[1][7] The resulting works are simple ceramics with bright coloring and bold decoration.[1][8] Most often, Raqqa Ware is turquoise, but purple, deep blue, and pale green pieces exist.[9]

Collections

Major collections are at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Ashmolean Museum.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Raqqah ware | Definition & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Ashmolean Museum: Characteristics of Raqqa lustre.
  3. ^ Blair, Sheila S., Jonathan M. Bloom, et. al. 2003 "Islamic art." Grove Art Online.12 Dec. 2018. http://www.oxfordartonline.com/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000041771.
  4. ^ a b Milwright, M. (2002-09-01). "Review: Ceramics of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum * Geza Fehervari: Ceramics of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum". Journal of Islamic Studies. 13 (3): 368–369. doi:10.1093/jis/13.3.368. ISSN 0955-2340.
  5. ^ Talmon-Heller, Daniella, editor. Cytryn-Silverman, Katia,. Material evidence and narrative sources : interdisciplinary studies of the history of the Muslim Middle East. ISBN 9789004271593. OCLC 903185722.
  6. ^ Marilyn, Jenkins-Madina (2006). Raqqa revisited: Ceramics of Ayyubid Syria. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 11. ISBN 1588391841. OCLC 822993516.
  7. ^ Alan., Caiger-Smith, (2001). Lustre pottery : technique, tradition, and innovation in Islam and the Western world. Gentle Breeze. ISBN 0571135072. OCLC 64245940.
  8. ^ "Jar". www.metmuseum.org. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
  9. ^ Freer Gallery of Art. Smithsonian Institution. 1980.


Stub icon

This ceramic art and design-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raqqa_ware&oldid=873380632"