Bowl
Bowl of engraved brass inlaid with silver; decorated with inscriptions of titles interspersed with roundels containing alternately birds and interlaced plants with central whirling rosettes

by-nc

Maker

(metalworker)

Title

Bowl
Bowl of engraved brass inlaid with silver; decorated with inscriptions of titles interspersed with roundels containing alternately birds and interlaced plants with central whirling rosettes

Date of Production

c.1320-41

Medium

hammered brass sheet, raised and chased and decorated with inlaid silver and black infill

Dimensions

Height: 16.5 cm
Diameter: 30.7 cm

Object Number

O.1966.GP.212

Mode of Acquisition

Gambier-Parry, bequest, 1966

Credit

Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Label Text

This vessel is thought to be a water bowl. Its scale and calligraphic style are typical of brass objects dating from the reign of Sultan al-Malik al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun (from 1293 to 1341). Silver inlay accentuates its bold inscription and floral embellishments.

The objects in The Courtauld’s collection of Islamic metalwork were made in the Middle East and North Africa between around 1250 and 1500. Such pieces were prized for their superb craftsmanship.

Metalworkers from present-day Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Syria and Turkey perfected the technique of inlaying silver into sheets of hammered and chased (indented) brass. Calligraphic inscriptions, geometric patterns and images of hunters and musicians were popular decorations for these luxury objects.

Inscriptions

Inscription: (in translation) The high authority, the possessor / the possessor, the wise, the … / the possessor, the wise, the … / the possessor, [in the service] of al-Malik al-Nasir

Provenance

Information not yet known or updated

Exhibition History

Islamic Metalwork Touring Highlights Exhibition, Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro, 27/09/2019-12/01/2020; Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford, 18/01/2020-20/09/2020; Museum of the History of Science, University of Oxford, 10/09/2020-10/01/2021; Holburne Museum, Bath, 17/05/2021-01/08/2021
The Gambier-Parry Collection, Courtauld Institute Galleries, London, 1967

Information on this object may be incomplete and will be updated as research progresses. We are particularly committed to addressing any discriminatory or offensive language and ideas that may be present in our records.
We are also continuously working to digitise the collection and improve the quality of our digital resources; images will be added/updated as new photography becomes available.
To help improve this record and to enquire about images of the Courtauld Gallery Collection, please email gallery.collectionsonline@courtauld.ac.uk

Find out more about using and licensing our images.

____________________________

Buy a print from our collection