Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1150
Publication Place
Khorasan (made) Iran Herat (possibly) Afghanistan -
Subject
Feathers Quadruped Gazelle Hound Horseback Riders
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Of the octagonal volume holding the bird with head length: 14cm, Width: 5.3cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
M.54:2-1971
Record ID
M.54:2-1971
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1150
Notes
Flask in the form of a seated bird, cast brass alloy with silver inlay decoration, Khurasan, Iran, 1150-1200
Tarihsel bağlam
A related flask, the head-shaped stopper now missing, is depicted in the Survey of Persian Art, pl. 1312B, from the Harari Collection.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Cast brass, with silver inlay Bronze Silver Cast Engraved Inlaid
Parçalar
Stopper, Flask
Fiziksel açıklama
Flask in the form of a bird. The bird's head is the stopper, attached to a long rod which is square in section, tapering to an oval section and finally flattening and curving upwards. The tip is shaped like a spatula, and may have been intended for makeup. The decoration throughout is in silver inlay. The bird's wings are folded across its back. The bird's wings and tail are decorated with a silver-inlaid geometric pattern of scales, dots and parallel lines, indicating primary and secondary feathers. At the base of the tail is a winged quadruped with long ears and flowing tail which is walking to the left and looking back at a scrolling stalk. On the proper right of the neck is a silver-inlaid hare and on the proper left a hound. On the breast of the bird there is a scene of two opposed riders tilting towards a stylised plant, their lances bedecked with banners. On both sides there are single roundels in which a seated, cross-legged figure holds two vertical poles each, topped with dragon heads. These refer to planetary, lunar or solar iconography. At the top of each wing is a pierced hole. The flat underside of the body has a small hole, possibly for attachment to some sort of stand. Patina: red to brown-red. The silver inlay is entirely preserved.
Üslup
Islamic
