Publication Date
Approximately 1635
Publication Place
-
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القطر : 4 × 5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
JLY 1857
Record ID
object;EPM;uk;Mus21;25;ar
Library Location
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Date
Approximately 1635
Notes
This exquisite gold box has a round base, vertical ends and a low, domed lid. The 103 emeralds are set in 16 slightly convex rectangular panels with 6 curved triangular segments that form the cap. The side panels are slightly engraved with the shapes of cypress trees, and their tops are curved to the left. The same shape is repeated in the panels on the lid, but the tree tops are not curved. Narrow bands of gold frame the emerald panels and the 24-facet diamond is set at the top of the lid. The base is covered with translucent green enamel and is decorated with a rosette in the centre, split acanthus leaves and palmettes. The emeralds were extracted from a mine in Spanish Colombia and exported to Europe and then to Ottoman Turkey and Mughal India. Chests of this type often have a matching tray which can be used to place medicines (as well as opium) or even valuables. They feature Mughal and Rajput miniature paintings from the end of the 16th century onwards.
Sample Text
“Case Covered with Emeralds” within Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;uk;Mus21;25;ar
