Publication Date
Second half of the seventh century/second half of the thirteenth century
Publication Place
-
Museum of Technical Industries
Subject
Bronze engraved and covered with silver.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع: 6.5 سم؛ القطر: 7 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
KGM 1890, 431
Record ID
object;ISL;de;Mus01;27;ar
Library Location
Museum of Islamic Art
Date
Second half of the seventh century/second half of the thirteenth century
Notes
A small writing instrument with a cylindrical shape, decorated with a frieze equipped with four relief and circular engraved drawings. One of the drawings on these reliefs represents a knight with a leopard. These animals were trained for hunting and to accompany the ruler on hunting trips. There is a knight hunting with a bow and arrow, another appears with a hunting falcon standing resting on the hunter's arm, and a third appears with a lion attacking him. The decorative base of these rulers’ symbols of power and authority consists of decorations with arabesques arranged symmetrically and bearing animal scenes with a drawing of the sun. The central axis consists of a lion's head, a bull's head, and a symbol of the sun. The branches also end with pairs of fish, birds, sphinxes (a mythical creature), and goats appearing in a wonderful, imaginative way. The bottom is decorated with braided bands. Plant branches with animal heads date back to the twelfth century in the eastern regions of the Islamic world, but they were also found in the thirteenth century in the areas of Ayyubid influence and in northern Iraq under the rule of Emir Badr al-Din, and artists there used them in their works. This type of drawing was also important in metal art during the Mamluk era. On the upper surface of this writing instrument there is a semicircular hole with a cover and is used to place the ink pot, and there are two other round holes to place the writing quills. It is believed that this part is a restoration from the Mamluk era, and flower decorations were used that do not match the quality of the artistic design of the other parts of the vessel. The owner of such a writing instrument is considered an educated man because he was fluent in the art of writing, which was highly appreciated in the Islamic world due to its connection to the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an is a revelation revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and it is still written in the Arabic language to this day.
Sample Text
Annette Hagedorn “Inkwell” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;de;Mus01;27;ar
