Albarello Jar with an Aphorism

Description

The albarello was a jar designed to hold ointments and drugs for pharmacists. They were produced in the Middle East and Spain, as well as late medieval and Renaissance Italy. Albarellos are usually painted with floral, vegetal, or geometric designs. Arabic inscriptions are less common but here the elegant text reads: “Modesty [comes] from faith, and faith [comes] from Paradise,” attributed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Provenance

Family of Gerard Cohen, Paris, France; (Momtaz Islamic Art, London, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?–1996); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1996–)

Albarello Jar with an Aphorism

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900s

Accession Number

1996.298

Medium

Earthenware with underglaze decoration

Dimensions

Diameter: 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in.); Overall: 13 cm (5 1/8 in.)

Classification

Ceramic

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund