Included in this lot is an Ancient Byzantine Sgraffito Glazed Ceramic Bowl, circa 10th - 11th Century AD. Procured at the Qala Bist archaeological site of Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, 1970. Lashkargah, Afghanistan, once historically called Bost or Boost and later renamed, was once the site of a Ghaznavid palace and soldiers' bazaar near the confluence of the Helmand and Arghandab rivers in southeastern Afghanistan. Provenance: the Owen D. Mort, Jr. Collection. Owen David Mort was an American engineer who amassed an impressive collection throughout his worldwide travels. His collection has included art, artifacts and other historical items from which he has donated to museums at the University of Utah and the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame. The monuments at Qala Bist (Bost) include remains from periods of ancient Iranian, Greco-Roman, and Indian domination, as well as the ruins of an imposing fortress, a soaring arch with baked-brick decoration in geometric patterns. The wealth of the medieval city was attested by Arab and Persian writers. Much of Afghanistan's art can be traced back through the invasions, occupations, empires, and dynasties that so frequently ravaged the country. Afghanistan has been a crossroads of cultures that make up the colorfully robust and dynamic foundation of Afghan art. This elegant Byzantine Sgraffito ware bowl was restored in 1998. Incised cross-hatch designs with dark dots in three triangular sections, incised lines noted on exterior as well. Colours used are green and orange-brown against a cream colour background. Three minaret-shaped images are exhibited in the interior. The overall style is similar to the Byzantine Sgraffito ware of the era. Following the division of the Roman Empire by Diocletian, Cyprus came under the jurisdiction of the East. Plain pottery was commonly produced during this period for use and trade in particular. However, the pottery most typical of this period is the Sgraffito ware. These dishes have incised decorations scratched through a lighter coloured slip, which was applied to the surface before the pots were fired. These lines of incision stand out in the darker colour of the underlying clay. Further decoration was provided by casual brush strokes of green and orange-brown pigment, using copper and iron oxide respectively. Cypriot potters used small clay tripods to separate the pots during firing, the scars of which can be seen on most of the pots in the form of three small spots lacking glaze. They were considered to have been made for domestic use, however many were also found in grave sites. Visible cracks and chipping expose the underlying darker colour redware clay. Measures 16" diameter from rim x 5.5"H, base is 7.75" diameter. The total weight is 8lb 8oz.*