Publication Date
692-743/ 1293-1341
Publication Place
-
British Museum
Subject
Yellow brass inlaid with silver and gold.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع 22.7 سم؛ قطر الحافة 54 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
1851.1-4.1
Record ID
object;ISL;uk;Mus01;28;ar
Library Location
British Museum
Date
692-743/ 1293-1341
Notes
A wonderful piece of Mamluk metalwork in the shape of a large basin with an outward rim, inlaid inside and out with silver and gold decorations. Surrounding the central part of the basin is a striking inscription in Thuluth script, bearing the name and titles of the Mamluk Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, who ruled in the periods 692 and 743 / 1293 and 1341. This basin is considered one of the metal vessels dating back to this period, which carries your writings as major decorative elements. The basic inscription was placed on a background of arabesques, the edges of which turn into shapes of ducks or birds, and is divided by three medallions filled with lotus flowers, in the center of which is a small inscription bearing the phrase “Glory to our Lord the Sultan.” This central band is flanked at the top by two friezes of floral decoration alternating with six roundels containing additional inscriptions. Lotus flowers and peony flowers are derived from Chinese models brought to Iran by the Mongols, and these floral patterns can be found in Iranian art of the same period. In the inscription around the edge from the inside, you can see the words: “Glory be to our master, Sultan King Nasser, the scholar, the conquering worker, the mujahid, the marabout, the champion of the world and the religion, Muhammad bin Qalawun, glory be to his victory.” Large basins like this one were used for many ceremonial purposes, but the surrounding fish at the bottom could indicate that it was used as an ablution basin.
Sample Text
Emily Shovelton “Basin” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;uk;Mus01;28;ar
