Author
unknown
Author Original
مجهول
Publication Date
The beginning of the fourteenth century AD
Publication Place
-
Khninko Museum
Subject
Copper alloy, engraved, inlaid with gold and silver — unknown
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع : 12 سم ، الطول : 17.5 سم ، العرض : 12 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
147 БВ
Record ID
object;EPM;uc;Mus21;26;ar
Library Location
Khninko Museum
Date
The beginning of the fourteenth century AD
Notes
This jewelry box is richly decorated with portraits of people. On the surface of the lid, a king sits on a throne. Around the scene and on the sides of the lid are twelve medallions with references to the constellations, which symbolize the universality of royal authority. Scenes of court life are displayed in the medallions on the walls of the box. To the left of the lid there are two men sitting opposite each other on folding chairs. Such chairs were brought to Iran by the Mongols and the Ilkhanid rulers, and they were often depicted sitting on them. On the right end of the lock there is a scene of a conversation in which the crowned person shows an Iranian way of sitting, crossing one leg over the other. The historical combination of the symbols of power and rule, namely the Ilkhanid invader and the Persian landowner, is presented here visually. The other walls of the case depict court entertainment activities: musicians carrying their instruments (flute, oud, lute). Guitar, tambourine, and dancers. The group of animals accompanying the band is present around the perimeter of each wall: lions, dogs, antelopes, hares, animals with human heads, and wild cats with human faces. The entire decoration system of the jewelry box shows an artistic formation focused on the idea of “the character of the king, the comprehensiveness of the Shah’s power, and the legitimacy of his powers.” It is worth noting that the Buddhist phrase “the knot of happiness” is engraved on the side pieces of the lid. This beautiful image is very common in the East and was brought to Iran by the Mongols.
Sample Text
"Jewelry box" within Discover Islamic art collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;uc;Mus21;26;ar
