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Luster and Fritware Production and Distribution in Medieval Syria

Redford, Scott; Blackman, M. James

Authors

M. James Blackman



Abstract

The production of glazed fritware (artificial paste bodied) ceramics in medieval Syria is examined in the light of neutron activation analysis of an excavated sample from the site of Gritille. Reevaluation casts doubt on two main commonplaces of Islamic ceramic history: 1) the decorative technique of lustering, used on some of these fritwares, was highly restricted; and 2) the production of such luxury ceramics in the medieval Islamic world in general was centralized. We propose that regional ceramic production corresponded to the decentralized system of government then current in Syria and other geographic and demographic factors there.

Citation

Redford, S., & Blackman, M. J. (1997). Luster and Fritware Production and Distribution in Medieval Syria. Journal of Field Archaeology, 24(2), 233-247. https://doi.org/10.1179/009346997792208230

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 1997
Deposit Date Jul 26, 2015
Journal Journal of Field Archaeology
Print ISSN 0093-4690
Electronic ISSN 2042-4582
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 24
Issue 2
Pages 233-247
DOI https://doi.org/10.1179/009346997792208230