Why did Fatimid artists include human figures on some Egyptian lustre-painted ceramics?

Fatimid lustre-painted ceramics are distinguished by their varied decorative themes, which include traditional Islamic motifs such as calligraphy, vegetal patterns, and arabesques. The inclusion of human figures on these wares served two primary purposes:1

• Princely Themes: Some ceramics featured simplified copies of illustrations depicting princely subjects, reflecting the artistic interests of the era.1
• Scenes of Daily Life: Other pieces showcased depictions of Egyptian daily life, providing a window into the social environment of the time.1

The style used to represent these figures is notable for combining the traditional, hieratic, and ornamental manner of Islamic painting with a sense of spatial illusionism. While aniconism—the general rejection of visual representations of living things—was an early feature of Islam, its application varied significantly across different regions and dynasties. In the case of Fatimid Egypt, the depiction of human figures on ceramics became a characteristic feature of their local urban pottery schools.12