What types of decorations appeared on early Islamic ceramics?

Early Islamic ceramics featured a diverse array of decorative motifs that became distinctively Islamic in style. These decorations included:

• Vegetal and Natural Motifs: Designs often incorporated vegetal arabesques, single flowers, trees, and birds drawn from Middle Eastern folklore.1
• Inscriptions: Writing was a key decorative element, typically featuring legible proverbs or expressions of good wishes.1
• Figural Representations: Occasionally, human figures were depicted in a strikingly abstract fashion.1
• Geometric and Abstract Patterns: Artisans utilized geometric designs and all-over abstract patterns, as well as single motifs placed on empty fields.1
• Color and Texture: Decorations included simple splashes of color and the use of sgraffito, where designs were incised or sketched into the body or slip of the object.1
• Lustre Glazing: Developed to give surfaces a metallic, shiny appearance, this technique became a hallmark of early Islamic pottery.1

These motifs were applied across various types of pottery, including high-quality wares from centers like Nishapur and Samarkand, as well as folk pottery.1