Publication Date
XI century
Publication Place
-
Bumler Group
Subject
Die-cast metal with engraved decoration
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع : 174 مم ، القطر : 429 مم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
BC 0189
Record ID
object;EPM;de;Mus23;11;ar
Library Location
Bumler Group
Date
XI century
Notes
An archer is the central figure in this large bowl. He leans back and throws a lion, which falls on his head. Below that, there is a horse galloping, as well as a hare running in the opposite direction. The drawing shows a captivating dynamism, as the knight's legs are depicted in profile and his head is drawn in a lively and well-drawn way, showing the moment after he shot the arrow. The bowler's equipment and bowl signify a royal background. The hunter-horseman is a common motif in pre-Islamic Iranian art. Sassanian plates often show a ruler on horseback hunting all kinds of wild animals. The spaces are filled with flowering and plant patterns. The archer wears a richly decorated costume and a turban (headdress/turban) and his horse is decorated with a magnificent rein that indicates his royal origin. The central figure is surrounded by a row of palm-leaf scrolls followed by a band of congratulatory inscriptions in floral Kufic that end directly below the frame. The entire drawing is executed in precise detail. The main geometric design of the exterior is in contrast to the rich painting of the interior and the main motif here is a calm, balanced drawing of a six-pointed star. The spaces between the arches are filled with lotus buds surrounded by scrolls of palm leaves, and here there is also a band of blessing inscriptions that can be seen under the frame. On the opposite side of the inscription, from the inside, it is not decorated at all and appears incomplete. Despite its large size and heavy weight of 3.6 kilograms, the bowl appears lightweight and graceful due to its delicate and complex decoration, which is in contrast to the non-simple/unnatural hemispherical shape.
Sample Text
"Zabadiyah" is part of Discover the collections of Islamic art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;de;Mus23;11;ar
