The Fustat Ceramic Collection of the Royal Museums of Art and History of Brussels

The Royal Museums of Art and History hold a remarkable ceramic collection coming from the site of Fustat in Egypt. This assemblage provides valuable information concerning the history of ware productions of the Islamic period from the Eastern Mediterranean region and allows at reconstructing local productions and importations. The collection of the Mamluk period is particularly representative and includes the principal fine glazed productions, widespread in Egypt between the 13th and 15th centuries. A rich collection of ‘Mamluk Sgraffiato’, Blue and Black underglaze wares and ‘Blue and White’ wares is documented. Moreover, the existence of ceramic importations from China is also represented. Local production is attested on the site and few ceramic wasters are preserved in the museums’ storerooms. This material evidence, even if not supported by archaeological data, can trace a general framework for the history of Fustat during the Mamluk period. This centre was above all an important production and commercial area that supplied a wealthy and multicultural society, which aimed at representing itself through material culture.