Geometric Decoration
Geometric Decoration in Ceramic Recipients
‘The motifs are chosen and designed in advance to fit the shape of the recipient.’
A significant number of Islamic ceramics are decorated with extremely simple geometric motifs or with schematised plant motifs that appear to be geometric figures. In all cases, the motifs are chosen and designed in advance to fit the shape of the recipient and to enhance its form. For this reason, radial arrangements are preferred for open-form vessels such as bowls, dishes and plates, while horizontal lines are generally used for closed-form vessels such as vases, cups and jugs.
Bowl

Hegira 7th century / AD 13th century
Ayyubid
Burrell Collection, Glasgow Museums
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
The open-forms of bowls and plates are enhanced using decorative radial motifs, such as schematised leaves that adorn their sides and resemble the petals of a flower in bloom, while decorative bands are used on jars to emphasise their distinct parts.