Page 300 - Life & Land Use on the Bahrain Islands (Curtis E Larsen)

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Whitcomb (1975) in similar contexts. Whitcomb also shows the rim form of Figure
64i as a part of his Early Islamic assemblage at Hofuf (Whitcomb 1978, Plate II, nos.
11 and 17).
Gray-glazed Bowls
Although distinct gray glazes are not discussed as firm Early Islamic indicators by
Adams (1965, 1970), Gibson (1973), or by Lane (1947), a useful bowl is found in the
Barbar assemblage. This is illustrated in Figure 64j. It has a light gray interior
glaze and a dark gray exterior glaze. Hie bowl form itself is reported from
Sammarra by Sarre (1925) and from Hofuf by Whitcomb (1978, Plate n, nos. 15 and
21). Thus, this bowl also seems to belong to a Sammarran interval on Bahrain.
Gray Wares

Gray ware jars are another group in the Bahrain collection. Figure 64h shows an
incised gray ware jar with sand temper. Tbe incised design shown here is quite
different from Later Islamic incised ware from either Hofuf (Whitcomb 1978) or
Oman (Whitcomb 1975), but may present a recognizable marker for the period.

Sgraffiato

Simple and complex incised designs cut through slip and underglaze are easily
recognizable designs on the interior of bowls. Examples are discussed by Lane
(1947, Plate 6B), Hobson (1932, fig. 19), and Sarre (1925, Plate 161, 168-70). Adams
claims a threefold division in the style of these bowls. He sees a simple form with
loosely drawn curvilinear motifs as being quite early, A more complex form
showing incised floral patterns, rosettes and pseudo inscriptions marks the
Samarran period. This form is also sometimes combined with a ^plashed glaze of
green or brown dots, Finally, Adams sees a Late Abbasid decadent variety of
sgraffiato on flaring bowls with large splashes of green and reddish brown glaze.
Ibis ware tends to be soft and buff colored. Figure 64k would appear to meet the
description of the latter variety, but the presence of Samarran forms and