Publication Date
The first half of the thirteenth century AD
Publication Place
-
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
20.5 × 19.5 × 16 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
MTW 850
Record ID
object;EPM;uk;Mus21;17;ar
Library Location
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Date
The first half of the thirteenth century AD
Notes
The lid has four hands and indicators which are still working but the clock mechanism is now missing. The top of the lid bears a medallion depicting a prince sitting on a throne, while the truss-shaped sides are decorated with musicians and cup holders. In the medallions in front of the box there are figures of knights, one carrying a spear and the other carrying a falcon. Between them there is a standing figure with a cross and a book stand. The back panel has a central medallion of a prince drinking with two people present and two people playing dice. This is surrounded on the upper sides by medallions containing musicians in small rings, and below them are smaller rings containing seated figures with their legs crossed and holding crescents. Below these formations there are standing figures bearing the characteristics of Christian priests or deacons. Christian elements are found on silver inlaid calculators from northern Mesopotamia and later in Damascus in the thirteenth century, and many of them include scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin. They may have been commissioned to be made as church vessels by or for Christian masters.
Sample Text
“Jewelry box with remains of a numerical lock” within Discover the collections of Islamic art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;uk;Mus21;17;ar
