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Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology

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Luster-ware is a unique type of Islamic ceramic and refers to those ceramics which are coated with luster-paint, formed from a compound of silver, copper, and iron oxide, which is then applied to an already-fired-and-glazed piece of pottery.

Important types of luster-ware include the Basra luster-painted ware, made during the Abbasid period between 800 and 975 A.D.; Fustat luster-painted ware, from the period of the Fatimids from 975-1175 A.D.; Syrian luster-painted wares, which began appearing in the late 11th century, and continued into the 12th and 13th centuries; and Kashan luster-painted ware, which appears in Iran from 1100-1340 A.D., and is only found produced in Kashan, under the Seljuk dynasty, and then the Ilkhanid dynasty.

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Ian's comments:

In what ways is this form of pottery significant for evaluating the technological achievements of Muslim socieities? What can it tell us about fashions and taste with respect to outside influences in the filed of pottery such as China?

Archaeologically, what can these ceramics tell us about trade patterns, loci of manufacture etc.?