Luxury Inlaid Container

Creator Name

Cultural Context

Northern Iraq, Ayyubid period

Date

Creation: c. 1250–1350

Source

Cleveland Museum of Art

About the Work

Cleveland Museum of Art Object Description

Metalwork flourished in the 1200s with production centers in Mosul, Damascus, and eastern Anatolia. Along with this container, the nearby ewer and candlestick are examples of the superb pieces produced at this time. Scenes of court life, including banqueting, music, and enthroned figures, decorate the sides and top of the container. The lid is covered in hexagonal swastikas, an ancient solar motif, which is further enhanced by a large sunburst in the center. The calligraphic inscriptions extend wishes for a long life, prosperity, and patience to the owner.

Work details

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Title

Luxury Inlaid Container

Creator

Worktype

Metalwork

Cultural Context

Northern Iraq, Ayyubid period

Material

sheet brass, inlaid with silver and gold

Dimensions

Diameter: 11.4 cm (4 1/2 in.); Overall: 12 cm (4 3/4 in.); Diameter of box: 10.1 cm (4 in.); Box: 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in.);
height: 0.12metre

Technique

Language

Date

Creation: c. 1250–1350

Provenance

(Heeramaneck Galleries, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art), ?-1945; The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 1945-; Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

Style Period

Rights

CC0

Inscription

Band around body (naskh): "Lasting glory, and safe life, and increasing prosperity, [and] nobility, [and] effective authority"; band around body (naskh): "Brilliance, and nobility, and patience, and modesty, and glory, and long life, and piety, and patience"

Location

Source

Cleveland Museum of Art

Subjects

Topic

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