Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

For over 500 years, Islamic potters used simple materials and techniques to make an astonishing range of decorated luxury pottery. The final appearance of these pots varies enormously, but all are made by ringing the changes on the same very basic techniques.

Vessels in red clay were covered in a white slip (a fine clay diluted to a creamy texture). The decoration could then be carved through the slip, or patterns in coloured slips applied. Finally the objects were covered with a thin layer of glaze (a glassy coat), which could be left transparent, or stained with metal-oxide colours.