Sind or Multan Vase

This is a truly fabulous vase which I absolutely had to have for my website.  

Quite tall at just over 27 cm and what a wonderful shape.  The shape has been copied from beaten metal work vases, where the forms were fluted in sections, and these shapes in turn were inspired by natual forms in nature,  pomegranates, squashes and gourds etc.  

Each section has then been decorated with stylised flowers, leaves and geometric patterns.  

This vase is probably from the area of Multan which is a city in present day Pakistan.  High quality cobalt was found in this area which enabled local potters to produce ceramics with a wonderful range of intense blue glazes.  

Many of the designs used were influence by Islamic as well as Indian design traditions.  

The clay used can range from red clay to a finer white clay.  This vase is made from a very special type of clay to which has been added ground quartz.  This is called "stonepaste".

The term stonepaste is used in the contex of Islamic ceramics from about 12thC onwards.  It describes an artificial ceramic body made from ground quartz with small additions of clay and ground glaze-mixture. The term fritware is also used for this material.

This example I think could be 19th century, but has been very difficult to date and could be earlier.  From the patina of the surface I do not think its a contemporary example. 

Makers marks:
None

Dimensions:
275 mm tall

Weight:
667 grams

Age:
Unknown

Condition:
Good condition:  Some of the points at the rim were damaged have been restored.  The foot was cracked and has also had some restoration. 

Maker:
Sind or Multan