Publication Date
Early eighth century / early fourteenth century
Publication Place
-
British Museum
Subject
Gilded enamelled glass.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع 29.3 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
1924.1-25.1
Record ID
object;ISL;uk;Mus01;21;ar
Library Location
British Museum
Date
Early eighth century / early fourteenth century
Notes
A gilded glass goblet with a long stem decorated with enamel. These decorations are concentrated in blue, green, red, and white around the shoulder of the cup, forming circular medallions that alternate with Arabic inscriptions repeating the word “Al-Knowing.” It is a common title for Mamluk sultans and senior state officials. There are two bands of what looks like green writing on both ends of the stem. The upper side of the stem is occupied by preliminary designs in a sphinx-like shape, in addition to flowers and plants. This cup is one of a group of Mamluk glass pieces that reached Europe via China. Trade relations between China and the Islamic world date back to the 2nd/8th century. But the absence of unpainted glass in China indicates that enamelled glass arrived in China as diplomatic gifts or as luxury items. There are so far a number of these cups, but their function is not specifically known.
Sample Text
Emily Shovelton “Cup with Stem” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;uk;Mus01;21;ar
