Publication Date
About 700/about 1300
Publication Place
-
Museum of Islamic Art
Subject
Yellow brass covered with gold and silver.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع: 10 سم؛ القطر: 21 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
I. 3597
Record ID
object;ISL;de;Mus01;48;ar
Library Location
Museum of Islamic Art
Date
About 700/about 1300
Notes
On the wide edge of the basin, between four reliefs, there are drawings representing hunting scenes in which the princes of the court are having fun. In each of these drawings there are three knights in different hunting training positions. It also shows the knights practicing fencing with spears, swords, bows and spears. There is a knight accompanied by a hunting cheetah sitting on the back of a horse. These images indicate specific life ideals; The images of knights and hunters not only indicate the princes’ horse-riding skills, but also the rulers’ courage, strength, and patience. The drawings of hunters with goshawks and leopards can also express the extreme wealth of the rulers, because they were the only ones who were able to buy and train these hunting animals, and they were also the only ones who could organize large hunting trips. This type of princely life reached its peak during the Mamluk era. The lower side of the basin is decorated with braided patterns of arabesques, branches, and birds in the interstitial spaces. The drawings are also covered with gold and silver. The inlay with precious metals gives the painted brass utensils a beautiful, multi-coloured appearance. The coat of arms of Prince Samuel Abu al-Ezz is engraved in the middle of the reliefs. This prince was one of the men of the ruling Sultan, Al-Nasser Muhammad bin Qalawun. It cannot be said with certainty that this prince is the one who requested the making of this basin because the writing is erased and rubbed into some parts of it. Abu Al-Ezz and his brother Salar, the Viceroy of Egypt, revolted against the Sultan and were arrested and imprisoned in 1310. There are two places on the bottom of the basin on which expressions of congratulations and prayers for the happiness of the person who requested the making of the basin were written, but his name was not left clear. It is likely that the name of Samuel Abu Al-Ezz was inscribed here. If this is true, this basin can be dated between the years 693 and 710/1293 and 1310.
Sample Text
Annette Hagedorn “Small basin” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;de;Mus01;48;ar
