Luster and Fritware Production and Distribution in Medieval Syria

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.