Why are glass objects less common than pottery among surviving early Islamic artworks?

In the study of early Islamic arts, it is a misconception that glass was inherently less important than pottery as a medium of expression. While pottery is often cited as the most characteristic medium of the period, this is primarily due to the greater number of surviving objects rather than a difference in artistic significance.1

Glass was considered equally important to ceramic production during this era; however, glass objects have been less well preserved over time. Like other ancient and medieval glass, these items are susceptible to deterioration when buried, often resulting in an iridescent surface as the material breaks down. Because Islamic traditions generally did not involve burying pottery or other goods with the dead, the survival of both glass and ceramic artifacts is largely dependent on archaeological discovery, where the fragile nature of glass often leads to fewer intact specimens compared to more durable earthenware.12