Publication Date
Between 731 and 749 AH / 1331 and 1348 AD
Publication Place
-
National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts
Subject
Engraved and grooved brass.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع: 10 سم؛ قطر القاعدة: 11،6 سم؛ قطر الفتحة: 8،1 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
II.MI.074
Record ID
object;ISL;dz;Mus01;7;ar
Library Location
National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts
Date
Between 731 and 749 AH / 1331 and 1348 AD
Notes
This cone-shaped measure for zakat consists of three joined parts. The decoration is divided into three bands. The upper band contains the beginning of an inscription in Moroccan letters indicating that the piece was made on the order of Sultan Abu al-Hasan, and the function of the piece. I fill the space left by writing with double palms. The middle band is decorated with four decorative arches. Each one contains an inscription in Moroccan letters that complements the inscription on the decorative arch that precedes it. One of them completes writing the upper bar. These four inscriptions provide information about Al-Hakim’s lineage, who descends from the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, and information about the origin of calibration (metal caliber). The space between the arches is decorated with double palmettes and rosettes. The lower band is decorated with two curved lines. This measure for zakat carries a clasp to which is attached a chain made up of branches-shaped hooks, the ends of which take the form of double palmettes and are connected by two rings. This was the standard for measuring zakat on Eid al-Fitr (the zakat on the end of the fast of the month of Ramadan), which is also used to measure various types of grains, used in commercial exchanges.
Sample Text
Ali Benbella “Measure of Zakat (Mud)” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;dz;Mus01;7;ar
