Author
Muhammad bin Sanqar al-Baghdadi al-Sunkri.
Author Original
محمد بن سنقر البغدادي السنكري
Publication Date
728 AH / 1327 AD
Publication Place
-
Museum of Islamic Art
Subject
Silver-plated copper decorated with hollowing out and perforation.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع: 81 سم ؛ القطر: 40.5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
139
Record ID
object;ISL;eg;Mus01;2;ar
Library Location
Museum of Islamic Art
Date
728 AH / 1327 AD
Notes
The piece takes the form of a hexagonal prismatic, topped with a hexagonal surface. In the middle of the surface of the piece is a radiant circular inscription in braided Kufic script. The radiant shape of the inscription doubles its decorative importance, as it appears as if the rays of the sun radiate from its middle disk, which the artist filled with the name of the Sultan (Muhammad) written inside a circle. The surface of the piece is framed by an inscription in Mamluk third script that includes the name of the Sultan and his many titles, which reads: “Glory be to our Lord Sultan King Nasser, the scholar, the just, the Mujahid, Al-Murabit, Al-Mathaghir, Al-Mu’ayyad Al-Mansur, the Sultan of Islam and the Muslims, the killer of infidels and polytheists, the reviver of justice in the worlds, the protector of the oppressed by the oppressors, the supporter of the religion of Muhammad, the supporter of the world and religion, the son of Sultan King Al-Mansur Qalawun Al-Salihi.” This inscription is surrounded from the inside by semicircles with lobes decorated with the shapes of flying ducks, which are characterized by movement and vitality. Each of the six side surfaces of the piece includes four decorative fillings arranged vertically on top of each other. In the middle of one of these surfaces is a small door with two arched leaves that opens onto an inner shelf. The fillings are decorated with openwork arabesque decorations consisting of intertwined leaves and plant branches, lotus flowers, and inscriptions in thuluth script on a ground of openwork decorations. The piece rests on six short legs above its legs, and inscriptions are written on them indicating the name and titles of the maker, which reads: “The work of the poor servant, hoping for the pardon of his Lord, known as the son of the teacher, Professor Muhammad bin Sunqur al-Baghdadi al-Sankari, on the date of seven hundred and twenty-eight, in the days of our Lord, King Nasser, the glory of his victory.” This type of piece was commonly called dinner chairs because food trays were placed on top of them. Such pieces were also used to carry the Qur’an or torches lit at night in mosques and palaces, as well as to carry drinking vessels, vases, or incense burners. It is possible that Al-Nasir Muhammad's dinner chair was used to carry such items in Al-Nasir Muhammad's Royal Palace or in his school located on Al-Nahhasin Street in Cairo, especially since it was found in Al-Mansur Qalawun's Maristan, which is adjacent to Al-Nasir Muhammad's school. This piece is considered one of the most valuable antiques owned by the Islamic Museum in Cairo, and it indicates that the metal industry flourished to a great extent in the Mamluk era. The importance of the piece is due to the fact that it was made specifically for Sultan Al-Nasser Muhammad bin Qalawun, in addition to containing the name of its maker and the date of its manufacture. The importance of this piece is compounded by its elegance and large size.
Sample Text
Salah Sayour “Dinner chair (hexagonal dinner table)” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;eg;Mus01;2;ar
