Kashkul
ca. 1859-1860 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The beggar's bowl or ‘kashkul’ was a sign of the religious poverty assumed by Islamic mystics. This function is reflected in the inscriptions used. On this ‘kashkul’ they include verses from the Qur'an as well as poetry in Persian praising the ‘kashkul’ in mystical terms.
This bowl is carved from half the shell of a huge nut. It is the fruit of the coco de mer palm which grows in the Seychelle Islands, in the Indian Ocean. The shell washes ashore in southern Iran.
The shell’s journey took on spiritual significance as a symbol of the dervish’s journey on the ocean of mystic knowledge. Many ‘kashkuls’ even have a ‘prow’ carved on them. Others, including this one, have a small spout to make the bowl into a drinking vessel.
This bowl is carved from half the shell of a huge nut. It is the fruit of the coco de mer palm which grows in the Seychelle Islands, in the Indian Ocean. The shell washes ashore in southern Iran.
The shell’s journey took on spiritual significance as a symbol of the dervish’s journey on the ocean of mystic knowledge. Many ‘kashkuls’ even have a ‘prow’ carved on them. Others, including this one, have a small spout to make the bowl into a drinking vessel.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Nut shell of coco de mer palm, carved |
| Brief description | Kashkul carved from coco de mer, Iran, 1859-60. |
| Physical description | Kashkul carved from coco de mer. A mouthpiece has been added to make it a drinking vessel, and rings to allow it to be suspended. The surface is carved with Persian and Arabic inscriptions, as well as scenes including lions. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Production | dated AH 1276 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The beggar's bowl or ‘kashkul’ was a sign of the religious poverty assumed by Islamic mystics. This function is reflected in the inscriptions used. On this ‘kashkul’ they include verses from the Qur'an as well as poetry in Persian praising the ‘kashkul’ in mystical terms. This bowl is carved from half the shell of a huge nut. It is the fruit of the coco de mer palm which grows in the Seychelle Islands, in the Indian Ocean. The shell washes ashore in southern Iran. The shell’s journey took on spiritual significance as a symbol of the dervish’s journey on the ocean of mystic knowledge. Many ‘kashkuls’ even have a ‘prow’ carved on them. Others, including this one, have a small spout to make the bowl into a drinking vessel. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 876-1889 |
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| Record created | February 1, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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