This richly illustrated work, now available in paperback, presents a comprehensive history of the subject. It is a catalogue of the al-Sabah Collection in Kuwait – one of the few truly great collections in private hands, and one that is well able to portray the unfolding story of Islamic pottery over its thousand-year history.

Here are detailed descriptions of over 400 individual objects grouped in geographical and chronological sequence, accompanied by over 900 colour photographs. Most pieces are published here for the first time, but a number of breathtaking items from old collections are rescued from obscurity and made accessible again.

Clear, informative essays trace the history of Islamic ceramics from the eighth century AD to the heights of refinement in sixteenth and seventeenth century Turkey and Iran, to the destructive impact of nineteenth century industrialization.

This important volume will appeal to the interested general reader, as well as becoming an invaluable reference work for the student and specialist.