Jar late 12th-early 13th century Similar underglaze painted objects are usually attributed to Raqqa, a town on the Euphrates in northeast Syria, from which a large number appeared on the market from the end of the 19th century. While some of the workshops were located there, as the unearthing of a large number of wasters confirms, others were located elsewhere along the Euphrates valley, in southern Anatolia, central Syria, Damascus and as far as Egypt.This jar is said to come from the so-called "Great Find" in Raqqa in the early 20th century, when a colony of Circassians that was being relocated by the Ottomans was given permission to excavate an archaeological area in search of building material. They found a number of large jars containing intact vessels which were eventually sold on the market (see also 56.185.22 and 56.185.15).The cursive inscription painted on the body reads "lasting glory and prosperity". Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #67