Publication Date
End of the 4th century - beginning of the 5th century AH / 10th - 11th century AD
Publication Place
-
Museum of Islamic Arts; Raqqada; Kairouan
Subject
Engraved and gilded glass.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع: 19 سم؛ القطر: 7،8 إلى 9،7 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
V. 5
Record ID
object;ISL;tn;Mus01;42;ar
Library Location
Museum of Islamic Arts; Raqqada; Kairouan
Date
End of the 4th century - beginning of the 5th century AH / 10th - 11th century AD
Notes
This beaker, like most glassware, is not completely symmetrical, but it has a symmetrical shape. The height of the pot's belly is appreciably similar to the height of its neck, and its sides are slightly convex and taper slightly toward the top. The shoulder represents a clear curve, and its neck - the flask - is decorated with vertical lines, and it becomes narrower until the spout opens out in the form of a wide, horizontal collar. As for the abdomen, it is surrounded by two circular notches that define a wide area decorated with an oblique square, each small field of which includes a decorative element shaped like a barley grain. A simple technique to embellish the background, but it has a good effect. This decoration is found on a number of the covers of Kairouanian bound books, dating back to the 3rd, 4th and 5th centuries AH/9th, 10th and 11th centuries AD. It reminds us of a drawing of the Khaqani jusq (the emperor’s pavilion) in Samarra. The shape of the vessel and the style and technique of its manufacture are undoubtedly linked to a classical Sasanian tradition used since ancient history (carving on the contour, drawing lines, blowing into a mold); However, this beaker presents definite similarities to similar vessels found in Samarra and Fustat during excavations carried out by the American Center for Research in Egypt between 1965 and 1981. In addition, the similarity remains clearer with the cargo of a sunken ship most likely dating back to the Fatimid era, which was discovered near the Turkish coast of Circe Limani. The decoration was engraved with small serrations, circular grooves, shuttle and lenticular wormholes, whose function was to draw geometric shapes, form wreaths and ribbons, and draw the shadows of a floral decoration. The presence of a kiln at the discovery site proves that glass workshops were moved to the outskirts of the city in Sabra, as in all other places in the Middle Ages.
Sample Text
Mourad Rammah "Beaker" in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;tn;Mus01;42;ar
