A Survey and Typology of Islamic Molded Ware (9th–13th centuries) based on the Discovery of A Potter’s Workshop at Medieval Balis, Syria

Authors

  • Stephennie Mulder The University of Texas at Austin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jia.v1i2.21864

Keywords:

ceramics, molded ware, relief-decorated, unglazed ware, ceramics typology, medieval Islamic archaeologu

Abstract

Medieval Islamic unglazed molded ware is a common but little-studied type with great potential for use as an interpretive tool in Islamic archaeology. This article presents the current state of knowledge about molded ceramics by organizing and synthesizing the evidence from published sites across the Islamic world and, using the information from these sites, generates a new typology with distinct periodization between the 9th to the 13th century. This typology is then compared with stratigraphically excavated finds from a newly-discovered 13th century molded ceramic workshop at the site of medieval Balis, Syria. Finally, the article argues that, like fine glazed ceramics, molded wares function as carriers of cultural meaning. Because they imitate more expensive luxury items made of metal, molded wares provide tantalizing clues to the taste and consumption patterns of a kind of “middle class” of urban dwellers in medieval Syria.

Author Biography

  • Stephennie Mulder, The University of Texas at Austin

    Assistant Professor, Department of Art and Art History/Department of Middle Eastern Studies

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Published

2015-02-20

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Mulder, S. (2015). A Survey and Typology of Islamic Molded Ware (9th–13th centuries) based on the Discovery of A Potter’s Workshop at Medieval Balis, Syria. Journal of Islamic Archaeology, 1(2), 143-192. https://doi.org/10.1558/jia.v1i2.21864