Arabic, the language unifying the Islamic world for religious texts, figured also as decoration. Designs on ceramics produced in Iran between the 9th and 14th century sometimes included inscriptions or words written in Kufic, an especially adaptable script with several variants. This bowl was decorated with shapes that intentionally copied Foliated Kufic, a style developed during the 9th century. While meaningless, the design communicated the importance of the written word.