Inkipedia
Central Asian Inkwell – 10th–11th Century CE
| Categories | Early - Primitive, Middle East / Africa |
| Material | Pottery |
| Markings | Unmarked |
| Manufacturer | Undetermined |
| Origin | Uzbekistan |
| Date or Era | 10th–11th Century CE |
| Measuring | 6.7 cm high (2.64 inches); 8.4 cm (3.31 inches) in diameter. |
A rare inkwell originating from Central Asia (now Uzbekistan), Samarkand, during the 10th to 11th century CE. This period aligns with the rule of either the Samanid Dynasty or the subsequent Qarakhanid Dynasty in that region.
The inkwell has a cylindrical shape and stands 6.7 centimeters (2.64 inches) tall with a diameter of 8.4 centimeters (3.31 inches). It was made using techniques of slip-painting, where a watery clay mixture (slip) was applied for decoration, followed by carving and molding to create its final form and surface details. The piece is covered in a green glaze.
This rare piece was published in the exhibition catalog “Arts from the Land of Timur. An Exhibition from a Scottish Private Collection” in Edinburgh in 2012, specifically as catalog number 243.
Sold for $495 in April 2025
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