Oman soapstone
Omani soapstone vessel 3000-4000 years old
STONE & POTTERY

The 3000-4000 year old Omani soft stone vessels are discussed in the Journal of Oman Studies series and a few other archaeological publications (e.g. Pott's) but overall the information is not very comprehensive (often vague sketches and descriptions rather than proper photos) The dating of these items also does not seem to be very consistent to a laymen. Soft stone vessels can be made of Steatite (talc) , Soapstone or  Chloride. The vessels were exported from Oman to Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Some archaeologists describe Oman as "the land of graves", with ancient graves scattered around large parts of the country. Some well known ancient  archaeological places are Baht (beehive graves), Maysar (copper mines and processing) , Lizk (fort) , Ras Al Hamra , Bawshar (graves) , Ras Al Junayz, Al Shir Jaylah (towers) and Shisr (the possible Ubar location)

The best source on "more recent" Omani pottery is probably "The craft Heritage of Oman" by Richardson & Dorr in 2003, but by then a lot of knowledge probably had been lost already. 

The book Islamic Art in Oman contains a chapter on early Islamic pottery found in Oman by Seth Priestman (British Museum) 

No dedicated publication exists on Omani pottery covering the last 4 centuries. Oman is a very large country (comparable in size to Great Britain) Therefore it is logical that there are different pottery styles. E.G some with stronger Iranian influences some with trading influences from East Africa and China. A famous place for pottery in the interior is Bahla. You can still visit the fascinating old Kilns in this town. In places like Qalhat loads of early Chinese pottery sherds can be found, often dating before the 17th century, thereby confirming Oman´s long history of trading with other nations. Qalhat and Sohar were key harbours of the Kingdom of Hormuz run by Persians and Omani Arabs.

In 1672 a Dutch VOC ship visited Muscat.  A Mr. Padtbrugge produced a detailed report on the products he observed in the shops and the methods and quality of products being made locally They observed that most pots, plates and cups were made of tinned copper, however they also reported on the skilled potters and unusual methods of glazing pottery. See below for more details)  

Ancient Omani Tower Tombs at Jaylah. First discovered by a helicopter pilot

Late 18th century and during the first half of the 19th century a lot of Chinese provincial porcelain was imported to Oman for domestic use (see our Imports to Oman section) this consisted particularly of glazed plates, small bowls and ginger jars. The ginger jars often being used to store honey.  

Antique Chinese ginger jar Oman Chinese Ginger Jars Oman

 Antique Chinese Ginger Jar Oman Antique Chinese ginger pot imported to Oman

Chinese glazed ginger Jars (Chinese provincial pottery) imported to Oman 150-200 years ago  (typically used for storing honey) See Import section of this website.

Between 1885-1915 pottery (with transfer printed decoration) from Belgium and Holland (e.g. Maastricht Regout) was imported to Oman, this is possibly related to the large quantities of guns imported to Oman from Belgium (e.g. so called Muscat Martini Henry's) maybe pottery was used to fill-up spare cargo space or to hide the guns??? Most of these guns were exported again by the Omani to for example Indian and Afghan rebels fighting the British (see e.g. Gun-Running and the North West Frontier by Keppel 1911) By around 1910 the British navy was still searching  Omani vessels (sometimes sailing under the French flag) for slaves and guns.

Omani antique glazed pottery

Examples of antique glazed pottery made in Oman, discussed in detail below

In 1672 a Dutch VOC ship visited Muscat and a Mr. Padbrugge visited the Muscat souq.  Their report also contains a section on pottery: “They can also turn clay quite well , because the beads of their rosaries (in reality the Arabian playing-string) which the Roman-Catholics call paternosters, all must be turned, and those things are a prestige-object. The potters are very handy in glazing. They do not do this like us by stirring lead melted for a long time with an iron comb, but they drop melted lead in the water, fetch it out again and melt it anew and once again pour it in the water  and repeat that. That has to be a very slow work, but it saves the sifting of lead-ashes because those disperse very finely in the water. These ashes are then pounded fine and mixed with sifted charcoal. With this they glaze very handy the loam. This gives red glazing as if it has been burned somewhat harder, and mixed with some smoke-black, black. Some brass mixed through gives  a light or heavy green glazing” Translation by Dr. B. Slot in "Oman Holland a short history of the relations between the Sultanate and the Netherlands"  The text can also be found in Dutch in the booklet "Nederlanders aan de kusten van Oman" by B.J. Slot published by Museon in 1991 page 13

Bahla klilns pottery

 Traditional Omani kiln photographed in Bahla during the 1980's

Omani softstone Vase. Softstone can be Steatite, Soapstone or Chlorite 3500 to 4000 years old
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Steatite Soapstone Vessel Oman

Fine concave (but slightly asymmetric) stone vessel made of Soapstone or Steatite with geometrical designs including "dots in circle" However, this vessel has quite some weight so not absolutely sure about it being made of soft stone.  No lid present.

These vases are carved out of a big piece of soft stone, so no pottery! The material soft stone is plentiful in Oman.

These type of pots were manufactured in Oman e.g. Maysar and found in elsewhere in Oman e.g. Bawshar and Baht. They were also exported to Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Similar vases were found in Bahrain and the Emirates (Hili tombs) They were used for burial gifts or storage:  holding oil, concentrated fluids and honey. Burial places can also have the shape of beehives.  Height 11 cm.

Ref 3 / Ref 9: "Soft Stone vessels made from Steatite / Chlorite / Soapstone are  divided in 4 stylistic and chronological groups:

  1. Serie Ancienne (2600-2200 B.C): The Ancienne series dates from the third millennium BC decorated with figurative figures.
  2. Serie Intermediaire: The most common group the so called Omani group  of shallow bowls in Grey steatite sometimes with a single trough sprout, sometimes with vertically pierced lug handles decorated with the dot and circle design motif in a single row below the rim (Potts would place these in the series intermediaire)
  3. Serie Recente (2300-2000B.C.): Slightly later come a group of conical vases with concave sides often with lids. Pots and lids are decorated with increasing numbers of double circles with dots in the centre and a limited range of linear motifs as well. It is generally accepted that many of these Series Recente vessels originate in Oman and that a number were made in Maysar (Weisgerber 1981)
  4. Serie Tardive (2000-1700 BC) Some time in the middle of the second Millenium herringbone patterns of broken lines become popular (Haser 1990) etc

Most of the Omani softstone vessels fit in the serie Recente and serie Tardive. However Potts puts several Omani softstone vessels also in the serie Intermediaire.   

Omani archeology steatite vessel

 Softstone Vessel with "dot in circle" design

Name: "Decorated Softstone vessel"

Period: Second millennium before Christ (this vessel is 3500 to 4000 years old...) Sometimes called the Wadi Suq period (see Potts)

Origin: It was made or found in Oman, unknown. Five steps were carried out to make the stone vessels:

  1. The raw steatite material was broken down to portable size and then carried form the mines to the workshop
  2. The rough chunks were apparently cut by flint or metal tools to approximate  dimension of the finished vessel
  3. Hollowed out by blows of sharp metal and shaping the vessel
  4. Both sides (interior and exterior) were smoothed by wetting and rubbing
  5. The smoothed vessels were probably carved with a three pointed metal tool to make the dotted double circle motifs.

It must have been a very time consuming and risky process to produce these vessels!

 References
  1. Journal of Oman Studies (series)
  2. Mehr als Kupferin Oman by Weisgerber ( worked in Oman e.g. Maysar as an archaeologist over a long period).
  3. The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity Volume 1 by Potts page 249-251
  4. The soft-stone Inventory of Shimal by Haser BBVO 9 p 103-7
  5. The sultanate of Oman Prehistory and Proto-history By Muhd. Abdul Nayeem
  6. Catalog Oman exhibition Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam 2009 page 10,27, 54. ; Contains similar item.
  7. Muscat gate Museum memoirs of history April 2001 p 11 Contains photo of similar Vase from Bawshar
  8. Oman Faces and Places page 30 and page 32
  9. Dilmun and its Gulf Neighbors Harriet Crawford
  10. Oman Faces and places, articles from PDO News magazine 2009 page 30-32 steatite vessels found
  11. The National Museum of Oman Highlights published by Scala Arts & Heritage publishers in  2016 pages 30-31 and 35-43 give some information on archaeological finds in Oman.
  12. 2016 The bronze age towers at Bat, Sultanate of Oman Researched by the Bat Archaeological Project 2007-2012 edited by P. Thornton etc. Published by University of Pennsylvania 330 pages

Interesting website regarding ancient burial? towers in the Omani mountains: https://maptia.com/oriolalamany/stories/the-forgotten-tower-tombs-of-oman

 

Omani softstone Vase. Softstone can be Steatite, Chlorite, and Soapstone (3500-4000 years old)
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Steatite Soapstone Vessel vase Oman Chlorite

Very rare asymmetric stone vessel Soapstone / Steatite with geometrical designs. These vases are carved out of a big piece of stone, so no pottery! These type of pots were manufactured in Oman and also exported to Mesopotamia and the Indus valley. They were used for burial gifts or storage: holding oil, concentrated fluids and honey. Burial places can also have the shape of beehives. Famous burial place were some of these vases were found is in Baht.   Height 13 cm. Unusual design.

Omani steatite vessel

 

Name: Decorated Soft Stone Vessel

Period: Probably first or second millennium before Christ. Design rather unusual.

Origin: Location it was made or found in Oman, unknown.

 References:
  1. Journal of Oman Studies (series)
  2. "Mehr als Kupferin Oman" by Weisgerber ( worked in Oman e.g. Maysar as an archaeologist over a long period).
  3. The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity Volume 1 by Potts page 249-251
  4. The softstone Inventory of Shimal by Haser BBVO 9 p 103-7
  5. The sultanate of Oman Prehistory and Proto-history By Muhd. Abdul Nayeem
  6. Catalog Oman exhibition Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam 2009 page 10,27, 54. ; Contains similar item.
  7. Muscat gate Museum memoirs of history April 2001 p 11 Contains photo of similar Vase from Bowshar
  8. Oman Faces and Places page 30 and page 32
  9. Dilmun and its Gulf Neighbors Harriet Crawford
  10. 2016 The bronze age towers at Bat, Sultanate of Oman Researched by the Bat Archaeological Project 2007-2012 edited by P. Thornton etc. Published by University of Pennsylvania 330 pages

Omani softstone Vase. Softstone can be Steatite, Soapstone or Chlorite (Herringbone pattern with broken lines) Approx. 3500 years old.
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Steatite Soapstone Vessel Vase Oman Chlorite

Fine stone vessel made of Soapstone / Steatite with the dot in circle motif and very prominently the herringbone pattern of broken lines (asymmetric) These vases are carved out of a big piece of stone, so no pottery!  These type of pots were manufactured in Oman and also exported to Mesopotamia. They were used for holding burial gifts or storage: e.g. oil, concentrated fluids and honey.  Burial places can also have the shape of beehives. Famous burial place were many of these vases were found is in Baht.  Height 6,5 cm.By the middle of the the second millennium the Herring bone pattern of broken lines was the successor of the dot in circle design of the previous vase.

Omani archeology Steatite Vessel

Softstone Vessel with herringbone design

Name:Softstone vessel, decorated in a herringbone design.

Period: Middle second Millennium before Christ (So dating from around 3500 years ago) Dating based on the herringbone decoration (See ref. Haser 1990)

Origin:  Location it was made or found in Oman, unknown.

 References
  1. Journal of Oman Studies (series)
  2. Mehr als Kupferin Oman by Weisgerber ( worked in Oman e.g. Maysar as an archaeologist over a long period)
  3. The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity Volume 1 by Potts page 249-251
  4. The soft-stone Inventory of Shimal by Haser BBVO 9 p 103-7
  5. The sultanate of Oman Prehistory and Proto-history By Muhd. Abdul Nayeem
  6. Catalog Oman exhibition Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam 2009 page 10,27, 54. ; Contains similar item.
  7. Muscat gate Museum memoirs of history April 2001 p 11 Contains photo of similar Vase from Bawshar
  8. Oman Faces and Places page 30 and page 32
  9. Dilmun and its Gulf Neighbors Harriet Crawford
  10. 2016 The bronze age towers at Bat, Sultanate of Oman Researched by the Bat Archaeological Project 2007-2012 edited by P. Thornton etc. Published by University of Pennsylvania 330 pages

Antique Omani pounder 500 to 4000 years old
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Steatite Soapstone Omani pounder.

 

Very rare hammer / pounder made of steatite or doriet. One side shaped rounder than the other.  One similar pounder was found during the Julfar excavations in a layer from around 1500 (could also be a reused item from much earlier date) see reference 1. In museum Al Ain several identical examples are shown dating from the second Millennium BC (3000-4000 years old). Length 33 cm diameter widest section approx 7,2 cm

 

 

 

 Ancient Pounder

Name: "Antique Omani pounder" ?

Period: Second to third millennium  BC (according to Al Ain museum based on findings Um-an-nar ) to around 1500 ( based on one archaeological find at Julfar). The pounder from Julfar is about 10 cm longer than this pounder and the pounders in the Al Ain Museum, but the shape and material seems identical.

Origin:  Oman (similar item discussed in the archaeological excavations at Julfar). Purchased in Nizwa  (old copper souq) early 1980´s.

    References:
  1. Museum Al Ayn has several identical examples dating from the second Millennium BC. See slide-show for photo.
  2.  John Hansman Julfar an Arabian port Its settlement and far eastern ceramic trade from the 14th to the 18th century page 6 (see text bottom right Level III) Plate 4.a, page 91 fig d.  Found in a layer dating from the fifteenth century. Dating based on Chinese pottery sherds in that layer. Length 43 cm 10 cm diameter. The stone was probably used to crush grain a a stone mortar.
  3. 2016 The bronze age towers at Bat, Sultanate of Oman Researched by the Bat Archaeological Project 2007-2012 edited by P. Thornton etc. Published by University of Pennsylvania 330 pages

Together the Unesco  world heritage sites of Bat, al Khutm and Al Ayn  form the most complete collection of 3rd  Millennium BC settlements and necropolises in the world.

Below you find a Youtube film about the Al Ayn necropolis in the UAE  similar to some of the beehive graves found in Oman e.g. in Baht:

Steatite / Soapstone bead with dot in circle design.
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Steatite / Soapstone bead with dot in circle design.

Very rare steatite / Soapstone bead with dot in circle design. Sometimes beads were made from old soapstone vessels. Reference 9: "On Failaka  the only evidence for the working of steatite comes from recycling activities where shards from third Millennium vessels seem to have been reworked as pendants or beads"

 

 

Name:"Steatite / Soapstone bead"

Period: First or second Millennium before Christ

Origin: Location it was made or found in Oman, unknown. Purchased in Nizwa early 1980´s.

References:
  1. Journal of Oman Studies (series)
  2. Mehr als Kupferin Oman by Weisgerber ( worked in Oman e.g. Maysar as an archaeologist over a long period).
  3. The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity Volume 1 by Potts page 249-251
  4. The soft-stone Inventory of Shimal by Haser BBVO 9 p 103-7
  5. The sultanate of Oman Prehistory and Proto-history By Muhd. Abdul Nayeem
  6. Catalog Oman exhibition Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam 2009 page 10,27, 54. ;
  7. Muscat gate Museum memoirs of history April 2001 p 11 Contains photo of similar Vase from Bawshar
  8. Oman Faces and Places page 30 and page 32
  9. Dilmun and its Gulf Neighbors Harriet Crawford
  10. 2016 The bronze age towers at Bat, Sultanate of Oman Researched by the Bat Archaeological Project 2007-2012 edited by P. Thornton etc. Published by University of Pennsylvania 330 pages

Antique Omani glazed pottery

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Antique Omani glazed pottery

 

Heavy (asymmetric) hand-shaped jar with green / turquoise glazing and black painted geometrical designs  without ears. Also glazing inside. Possibly older than 1700. Ring base. Yellow orange clay.  Height 15 cm.

This jar is probably a spittoon. This shape is documented in ref 5 page 55 plate 1.6  which describes the different shapes of Safavid spittoons.

Shapes of Safavid pottery Spittons

 During the 16th century the shapes of Safavid pottery was largely based on the shapes of Chinese pottery. During the 17th century the Safavids develop their own more elegant variants of these shapes. 

So this antique Omani pottery jar is based on a Safavid model of the 17th century.

 

Antique Omani Pottery

Antique Omani Glazed pottery

 

Antique Omani Pottery

 

Antique Omani Pottery

 

 

Name: "Antique Omani Glazed Pottery"

Period: 1700-1800

Origin:  Oman (shape of jar is based on ancient Chinese jars). Purchased in the Nizwa souq early 1980´s

 References:
  1. No reference exists of Omani pottery of the last 4 centuries.
  2. Sarah Posey Yemeni pottery British Museum (focus on "modern" pottery)
  3. We have seen some pots from china 15th century they resemble the Omani pots even more closely, see photo slide-show for example. We found shards of similar pots in an old deserted ruined village in the hills next to the Batinah.
  4. "Islamic Art in Oman" chapter 9 Islamic Pottery in Oman by Seth Priestman (describes pottery of much earlier periods)
  5. Persian Pottery in the First Global Age: The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries by Lisa Golombek,Robert B. Mason,Patricia Proctor,Eileen Reilly; Royal Ontario Museum, published by Brill Leiden Boston

Antique Omani glazed pottery
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Antique Omani glazed pottery

 

Heavy (asymmetric) hand-shaped jar with 4 ears and yellow-brown glazing and dark-brown geometrical designs in the glazing.  No glazing inside.

Yellow brown clay.  Flat smooth base. Height 18,5 cm. 

 

 

 Omani antique pottery

 Antique Omani Glazed Pottery 
 
Antique Omani pottery

Name: "Antique Omani glazed pottery"

Period: 1600-1800

Origin: Oman. Purchased in the Nizwa souq early 1980´s

References:

  1. No reference exists of Omani pottery of the last 4 centuries
  2.  Sarah Posey Yemeni pottery British Museum (focus on "modern"pottery). 
  3. We have seen some pots from china 15th century they resemble the Omani pots even more closely, see slide-show for example We found sherds of similar pots in an old deserted ruined village in the hills next to the Batinah.
  4. "Islamic Art in Oman" chapter 9 Islamic Pottery in Oman by Seth Priestman (describes pottery of much earlier periods) 

Antique Omani glazed pottery
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Antique Omani glazed pottery

 

Heavy (asymmetric)  hand-shaped jar with light green and dark-brown glazing and three ears. Remains of glazing inside. No geometrical designs.  Flat smooth base. Dark-brown clay. Possibly older. Influenced by 15th century Chinese designs (see example in the slide-show) Height 12 cm.

 

 

 Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery based on 16th century Chinese models like these

Shape of the Omani pot is probably based on a Chinese 16th century jar like this or a Safavid variant.

Name: "Antique Omani glazed pottery"

Period: 1600-1800

Origin:  Oman  (Purchased in Nizwa souq around 1985)

References:
  1. No reference exists of Omani pottery of the last 4 centuries
  2.  Sarah Posey Yemeni pottery British Museum (focus on "modern"pottery). 
  3. We have seen some pots from china 15th century they resemble the Omani pots even more closely, see slide-show for example We found shards of similar pots in an old deserted ruined village in the hills next to the Batinah.
  4. "Islamic Art in Oman" chapter 9 Islamic Pottery in Oman by Seth Priestman (describes pottery of much earlier periods) 

Antique Omani glazed pottery
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Antique Omani glazed pottery

 

Large  bowl.  Green / turquoise glazing with black geometrical designs inside and outside.

Yellow orange clay. Ring base.  Height 16,5 cm. Diameter  28 cm.

 

 

antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani glazed pottery

 

Name: "Antique Omani glazed pottery"

Period: 1600-1800

Origin: Oman (Persian influence)

References:
  1. No reference exists of Omani pottery of the last 4 centuries.
  2. Sarah Posey Yemeni pottery British Museum (focus on "modern" pottery) 1994 Traditional pottery from Oman and Yemen have little in common apart from the geometric decoration.
  3. We have seen some pots from china 15th century they resemble the Omani pots even more closely, see photo slide-show for example. We found shards of similar pots in an old deserted ruined village in the hills next to the Batinah.
  4. "Islamic Art in Oman" chapter 9 Islamic Pottery in Oman by Seth Priestman (describes pottery of much earlier periods)

Antique Omani glazed jar / martaban probably from Bahla
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Antique Omani glazed pottery

Very interesting heavy Jar. Chocolate brown and black glazing (a flashlight photo makes the chocolate-brown look more reddish) . Flat bottom (some hatch markings with a knife in the bottom)

This is much harder and heavier pottery than the previous examples. Inside very rough.  The clay is coloured greyish. The bottom is flat with a sort of crossbar incision made with a knife. 

Height 26 cm. Can be much older than indicated. Lot of similarities to the giant Martaban storage vessels outside the Omani museum in Ruwi (see added photo in slide-show) and a smaller jar in Nakhl fort.

Note the description by Dutchman Padtbrugge in 1672 about the technique of red glazing he mentions. It could very well match the glazing on this particular jar!!

antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani Pottery

Antique Omani Pottery

 

Antique Omani Pottery

Name: Antique "Omani Martaban" style  pottery

Period: 1500-1700 These Martaban jars can even be older: The famous Arab traveller, Ibn Batuta, who visited Lower Myanmar in 1350 C.E. wrote: "The Princess made me a present consisting of … four huge Martaban jars filled with pepper, citron and mango, all prepared with salt, as for a sea-voyage."  

Origin: This type of "martaban" pottery was produced in South East Asia (e.g. Myanmar, Vietnam and China) for centuries,  however almost identical pottery was produced in Bahla also over many centuries!  Purchased in the Nizwa souq (Nizwa is located close to Bahla) . Early 1980´s

    References:
  1. No reference exists of Omani pottery of the last 4 centuries
  2.  Sarah Posey Yemeni pottery British Museum (focus on "modern"pottery) 
  3. Islamic Art in Oman" chapter 9 Islamic Pottery in Oman by Seth Priestman (describes pottery of much earlier periods) 
  4. Below old photos of very large pots with similar glazing outside the old national museum in Ruwi (replaced by the new museum) and two photos of an egg-shaped pot exhibited in Nakhal fort again with similar glazing.

Photo of big jar in front of the old Ruwi Museum in Oman  (photo taken 30 years ago) . This pot has identical glazing and  same colours as ours, but this does not show well on the photo.

Very rare antique big jar with a very unusual oval shape, photographed in Nakhal Fort, same glazing as ours. Again made of greyish clay.

Antique big jar in oval form shape (seen from the top) photographed in Nakhal Fort, same glazing as ours

 Youtube film about the deserted village Hugarah in Oman:

Omani Jar Glazed with indigo-blue design

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Jar Glazed with indigo-blue dot design

 

Very rare jar Glazed with indigo-blue design (connected blue dots) This type of design could be from Oman but also  found in China and in Persia, however inner glazing suggests Persia. Height 7 cm.

A flat smooth base.

 

antique Omani pottery

 Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery 

Name: Jar Glazed with indigo-blue dot design

Period: 1500-1700

Origin: Most Probably Omani or maybe Persian or Chinese. Purchased in Muttrah souq during the 1980´s.

    Description:
  1. Julfar an Arabian port Its settlement and far eastern ceramic trade from the 14th -18th century by John Hansman  published in 1985 by the Royal Asiatic Society  is  useful in identifying the shards  in the ruins of these ancient ports. Color plate 1 (Celadon from China and Thailand) Color-plate II Chinese monochrome (blue) , Color plate III glass and later porcelain.
  2. British Museum website search for "Kilwa shards"

Shards of Islamic pottery
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Islamic Sherds

  

Below we have identified the different shards shown on the photo row by row. Note that no research has been done to pottery specific to the period (before 1508) of the naval Kingdom of Hormuz , of which the harbours of Sohar, Muscat and Qalhat were a part before the arrival of the Portuguese. The Kingdom was run by Persians and Omani. Oman was occupied by the Portuguese between 1508 and 1648.

 

See the  photo slide-show for the back of these shards.

 

 

 

Top Row:

  1. Two red clay shards, local course ware
  2. Under-glaze-painted blue frit from Iran, 14th – 16thC? or possibly later
  3. Underglaze painted frit (indigo color) Iran, ditto previous
  4. Persian glazed ware 16th-17th century. (see ref 2 page 111)

Middle row:

  1. Glass bangle 16th-17th century (see ref 2 page 109)

Bottom row left to right)

  1. Sgraffiato from Iran, 11-13th, but it looks a bit strange?
  2. Some sort of ‘Martaban’
  3. Under-glaze-painted frit from Iran, 14th – 16th C? or possibly later
  4. Turquoise alkaline glazed ware from Iraq, 8th – 10th century, or could be something much later. Not sure.

Name: "Some shards of Islamic pottery"

Period: 800-1700

Origin:  Oman  / Middle East 

References:
  1. Islamic Art in Oman. Chapter 9 Islamic pottery in Oman by Seth Priestman p 260-281 published by "Al Roya press and publishing house Muscat Oman" 2008.
  2. Julfar an Arabian port its settlement and far eastern ceramic trade from the 14th to the 18th centuries. By John Hansman Royal Asiatic Society 1985.  In Julfar similar ceramics was found as in Oman. The book gives some indications of where these shards originate from and how old they are
  3. Oman Faces and places, articles from PDO News magazine 2009 page 94-96 article on Qalhat. This Omani harbour played an important role in the ceramics trade

Small pot constructed from two halves fitted together (Age unknown)
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Small pot constructed from two halves fitted together

 

Small pot constructed from two halves fitted together. Remains of black glazing or paint. Round / globular  base.  Black or very dark-brown clay. Height 7 cm

 

 

Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani pottery

Name: "Small pot constructed from two halves fitted together"

Period: Unknown, could very well be archaeological.

Origin:  Oman. Purchased in the Nizwa souq early 1980´s.

References:  No references. Some similarities to pottery made in Saham Northern Oman. Probably archaeological.

Two Omani pottery coffee pots / jugs
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Omani pottery. 2 coffee pots

Omani pottery. Two common Omani coffee pots with incised geometric decoration in the neck of the pot.

For detailed information on coffee making and drinking in Oman see Ref 2 Tribute to Oman. "Arabian folklore credits the discovery of coffee as a drink to a goatherd named Al Shadri.  He observed that this goats did not sleep after the leaves and berries of a particular bush. He tried the fruit and found  reduced fatigue  and gave him energy. He picked the berries and carried them  with him but over time , the dried out making it difficult to eat the fleshy pulp. To soften the berries he boiled them in water and coffee drinking began! "

Traditionally the coffee beans are roasted over the coals of a wood-fire. Two flat rocks were once used  for grinding and later the more familiar pestle and mortar were used. It is Cardamom (imported form Malabar)  that gives Omani Khawa its distinctive flavour.  Palm fibre is used as a coffee filter! Height 15 en 18 cm.antique Omani pottery

 

Arab name: Medlah / Dalla  (coffee is Khawa in Arabic)

Period: 1850-1950

Origin: Probably made in the town of Mahyah in Northern Oman. These type of coffee-pots are typically used by the Bedouin. Purchased in the Nizwa souq early 1980´s.

 References:
  1. Craft heritage of Oman Neil Richardson & Maria Dorr Part two p 502  illustr 433, 428 431 (modern pottery)
  2. A Tribute to Oman 24th National day 1994 (year of heritage) The Coffee connection.  p 71-74 (includes pictures of these pots and how coffee is made and drunk in Oman)
  3. British Museum has a similar item in their on-line collection number As2001,12.1 Height 19 cm Diameter: 13.5 centimetres (including handle) Coffee-jug; made of pottery; round base, tapering in at neck then flaring out slightly at rim, with spout on one side; handle attached on side opposite spout from rim to bottom of neck; neck etched with geometric designs
  4. Oman Faces and Places p 178 and p 179

Omani pottery. Cooking-pot with round bottom

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Omani pottery. Cookingpot with round bottom

 

 

Common Omani pottery. Cooking-pot with round bottom and geometric decoration in the neck. According to the British museum it is used for making yoghurt. Height 18 cm.

Jar; made of pottery; round jar, tapering in to vertical neck; twisted fibre cord wrapped around neck and looped over top for handle;  

 Antique Omani pottery

 

Arab name: "Omani pottery. Cooking-pot with round bottom"

Period 1850-1950

Origin: Probably made in the town of Mahyah in Northern Oman. Purchased in the Nizwa souq early 1980´s.

References:
  1. Craft heritage of Oman Neil Richardson & Maria Dorr Part two p 502  illustration 433, 428 431  (modern pottery)
  2. British Museum has a similar example in their on-line collection number  As2001, 12.4 Height: 14 centimetres Diameter: 14 centimetres

Medicine bowl

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Omani pottery: Crudely made Jar with flat bottom

 

Common Omani pottery: Crudely made bowl with flat base. Reddish impure clay, darkened outside.Height 10 cm. Diameter 18 cm.

 

 

Antique Omani Pottery

Antique Omani Pottery

Arab name: "Muq ´ah wa safan"

Period: 1850-1950

Origin: Probably made in the town of Mahyah in Northern Oman. Purchased in the Nizwa souq early 1980´s.

 References:
  1. Craft heritage of Oman Neil Richardson & Maria Dorr Part two p 431 (modern pottery)

Tiny Omani Honey and Laban pot

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Honey and Laban pot

 

Honey and Laban pot.  Brown and green glazed earthenware with double handles (may have had 4 tiny handles originally) . During the relatively wealthy period of Oman (1750-1850) Chinese provincial ginger-pots were used to store honey. See Chinese pottery in the Import section for several examples of ginger-pots purchased in Oman. Height 13 cm.

 Omani antique Pottery 

Arab name: "Ayanah"

Period: 1850-1950

Origin: Northern Oman: Bahla  / Nizwa area. Purchased in the Nizwa souq early 1980´s.

References:

  1. Craft heritage of Oman Neil Richardson & Maria Dorr Part two page 503 item 438 (modern pottery)

Omani bowl (age unknown)
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Red slip with Mitica bowl

Bowl. Red-brown  slip + black core + burnished +fingernail decoration. Lots of mitica (metal coloured shining particles) in the red slip. Geometrical designs using finger-nail and knife. Round base.  Height 16 cm Diameter 20 cm

The origin and dating of the bowl purchased in Nizwa is unclear:

  • Similarities with pottery from Dhofar but the clay material seems to be different.
  • Similarities with archaeological sherds in Samad area with black core and mica particles in the red slip. The geometric patterns have been made by impressing a human nail in the wet clay.
  • Similarities with pottery from Africa including the black core but not the many mica shiny particles .

If anyone knows more about the background of this pot, let me know!

Antique Omani pottery

Antique Omani potteryAntique Omani pottery

Round bottom possibly burned dark by cooking on open fire???

Name: " Ancient? bowl "

Period: Could be 19th century could also very well be Archaeological

Origin: Oman Purchased at Nizwa souq early 1980´s.  ( Have seen pots with some similarities from East Africa)  The red-slip pottery from Dhofar in Oman also has similarities. However can also be archaeological (see sherds from Samad and Lisq) , in particular given the many mica particles in the red slib and the black core.

 References:
  1. Catalog Oman exhibition Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam 2009 page 10,27, 54
  2. Tropenmuseum Amsterdam Inventory TM-4468-4 East Africa Bagamoyo / Zanzibar slightly similar jar 22,5 cm diameter and height 12 cm.

Pottery Incense Burner

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Incense Burner

Round shaped incense burner. Painted decoration (faded). Height 10 cm. This aromatic resin was in great demand in the ancient world  (including Greeks and Romans) for religious ceremonies and burial rites and the most important place where best-quality frankincense grew was and is southern Oman. However the role of Oman as an exporter of incense stopped when it was discovered how to produce cheap incense synthetically (chemically)

 

Arab name: Majimar

Period: 1950-1970

Origin: Southern Oman: Salalah Dhofar. Purchased in Salalah early 1980´s.

References:
  1. Craft heritage of Oman Neil Richardson & Maria Dorr Part two p 504 (modern pottery)
  2. A tribute to Oman The Sultanates Yearbook: 1993/1994 "Perfumes of Arabia by Pippa Lacey" Apex Ruwi page 125
  3. Tribute to Oman 1994 p 32-41 White Gold The story of Frankincense by Pauline Shelton
  4. British Museum on-line collection number 2012.6030.107 Comment: modern piece

Pottery Incense Burner

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Incense Burner

Square shaped incense burner using a "non traditional pigment". Bright Painted decoration. Height 11 cm. Dhofar / Salalah itself is the home of the frankincense tree, and for century upon century it was the center of a vast international trade in frankincense.  This aromatic resin was in great demand in the ancient world  (including Greeks and Romans) for religious ceremonies and burial rites and the most important place where best-quality frankincense grew was and is southern Oman.  However the role of Oman as an exporter of incense stopped when it was discovered how to produce cheap incense synthetically (chemically) 

Arab name: Majimar

Period: 1980´s

Origin: Southern Oman: Salalah Dhofar. Purchased in Salalah early 1980´s.

References:
  1. Craft heritage of Oman Neil Richardson & Maria Dorr Part two p 504 (modern pottery)
  2. A tribute to Oman. The Sultanates Yearbook: 1993/1994 "Perfumes of Arabia by Pippa Lacey" Apex Ruwi page 125
  3.  Tribute to Oman 1994 p 32-41 White Gold The story of Frankincense by Pauline Shelton

Water (cooling) jar

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Omani water cooling jar

Unglazed. Earthenware porous water jar. As the water evaporates on the outside the water starts cooling.  By hanging the jar in a "windy"  open window the process is further enhanced.

 In his book "Topsy Turvy Land, Arabia pictured for children"  Ref 1 S.M. Zwemer writes in 1920 : "Oh what a blessing those jars are to all the people of this hot and dry country. We have no ice in Arabia and so no refrigerators; the wells are never very deep and the water comes a long distance. So if it were not for the crockery man and his water-jugs we could never drink cold water. But just pour the water in one of these pots and hung it in the wind and then in a few minutes the water gets cold. We missionaries always have such water jars hanging or standing in our windows to catch the breeze"

(The pottery is made deliberately porous, the evaporation of water on the outside of jar causes the jar to cool down, similar to the effect of sweating on the human skin) Height 25 cm. The Zwemer brothers worked as missionaries of the Dutch Reformed Church of America in Muscat and Bahrain. Modern Omani pottery

 

Zwemer Topsy Turvy Land

 Omani pottery for cooling water

Antique Omani pottery Bahla

Water Jars, just out of the Kliln in Bahla (1980's)

Arab name: Jahlah

Period: 1970-1980

Origin:  Oman Bahla . Purchased in Bahla early 1980´s.

    References:
  1. Zwemer  Topsy Turvy land Arabia pictured for children in 1902 p 41/42  Discusses the cooling down of water by the use of porous pottery and pottery shops.
  2. Craft heritage of Oman Neil Richardson & Maria Dorr Part two page 499 (modern pottery)

You-tube film of traditional pottery production in the Omani ancient town of Bahla with many old kilns:

Antique Omani pottery Bahla

Boy in front of kiln in Bahla