Decortype › Ceramics & Porcelain › Islamic Pottery & Tilework

Buff ware

Europe tradition · 5 examples · indicative market tier: Under $500 (entry level & living craft)

Buff ware is a type of pottery that appeared in the Umayyad period, made of fine and light, almost white, clay. Brown on buff ware, associated with Bhirrana pottery was found at Bhirrana in Hisar district of Haryana state in India. Bhirrana is likely the oldest pre-Harappan neolithic site dating back to 7570-6200 BCE. Genome scientists, who used SNP analysis to identify mtDNA haplogroups, ascertained that the Bhirrana culture of India was dated to 9 tya (thousand year ago). Wikipedia →

Types & examples

Buff Ware Fragment with Horned Animals MET DP252030
Buff Ware Fragment with Horned Animals MET DP252030
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Buff Ware Bowl with Geometric Patterns MET DP258906
Buff Ware Bowl with Geometric Patterns MET DP258906
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Buff Ware Bowl with Geometric Patterns MET DP252026
Buff Ware Bowl with Geometric Patterns MET DP252026
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Buff Ware Bowl with Geometric Patterns MET wb-39.40.68b
Buff Ware Bowl with Geometric Patterns MET wb-39.40.68b
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Buff Ware Bowl with Geometric Patterns MET wb-39.40.68
Buff Ware Bowl with Geometric Patterns MET wb-39.40.68
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.