This base metal bowl has been transformed by sophisticated inlaid surface decoration. Here it depicts six scenes of horsemen in the frieze. They are loosely based on the Persian epic The Book of Kings. In one, the legendary King Faridun, shown riding an ox, is followed by a captive on foot. The snakes growing from the captive’s shoulders identify him as the evil king Zahhak, whom Faridun overthrew.
To create larger motifs, metalworkers chiselled out small areas of base metals such as copper or brass and filled with them with thin sheets of silver and gold. They added detail by chasing the surface of the softer metals and created contrast with a black filler.
Physical description
Vessel with broad curving base, almost flat in the central area, convex sides bending back over inner surface and topped by a short rim with a flat edge facing upwards.
Raised brass, decorated with champlevé designs engraved over the inlaid silver foil, the ground filled with black composition.
Two bands of formal ornament are inlaid on the flat edge of the rim facing upwards and on its everted side. On the sides two narrow bands broken up into sections by interlocking roundels alternately enclose formal ornament and running animals. They frame a continuous figurative frieze of horsemen set against a scrolling ground. Below, a lambrequin based on symmetrical scrolls carrying bi-lobed half-palmettes. The underside has a chain pattern.
Place of Origin
Iran (made)
Date
ca. 1351-1352 (made)
Artist/maker
Turanshah (maker)
Materials and Techniques
Copper alloy engraved and overlaid in silver and gold
Dimensions
Height: 11.9 cm maximum, Diameter: 22.7 cm body, Diameter: 17.3 cm opening, Weight: 0.9 kg
Object history note
Historical significance: This bowl bears the name of its maker Turanshah and the name of the patron for whom it was made, Muhammad al-Jurjani. It is unique in its decorative scheme, much of which is based upon the Shahnama (Book of Kings). It presents a unique example of a metalworking school in Iran after the Mongol invasions.
Descriptive line
Brass bowl inlaid with scenes based on the Shahnameh, Iran, 1351-52 (AH 752).
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Melikian-Chirvani, A.S., Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian world, 8th-18th centuries, London: HMSO, 1982, pp. 223-229
Komaroff, Linda, and Carboni, Stefano, (eds), The legacy of Genghis Khan, Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256-1353, New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2002. Catalogue of the Exhibition from Nov.5, 2002 to Feb. 16, 2003. ISBN1-58839-071-3 (1-58839-071-3 pbk; 0-300-09691-7 Yale U. P.) Cat. Entry 164 p279, Fig270
Louvre, L'Etrange et le Merveilleux en terres d'Islam. Catalogue of the Exhibition held at Musée du Louvre 23rd April - 23rd July, 2001. Paris: Editions de la Réunion des musée nationaux, 2001. ISBN 2-7118-4215-0. Cat. 125, p. 180
Baer, Eva. Metalwork in Medieval Islamic ArtAlbani, State University of New York Press, 1983. No. 91, p.112
Pope, Arthur U., Ackerman, P. A Survey of Persian Art, 6 Vols, London and New York, Oxford University Press, 1938-9. Pl. 1368, p. 2507 and 2522
Exhibition History
The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256-1353 (Los Angeles County Museum of Art 13/04/2003-27/07/2003)
The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256-1353 (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 28/10/2002-16/02/2003)
Labels and date
Bowl with Horsemen
Iran
Dated 1351
The six scenes of horsemen in the frieze are loosely based on the Persian epic, The Book of Kings. In one, the legendary King Faridun, shown riding an ox, is followed by a captive on foot. The snakes growing from the captive's shoulders identify him as the evil king Zahhak, whom Faridun overthrew.
Brass inlaid with silver, gold and a black composition. Signed by Turanshah
Museum no. 760-1889 [Jameel Gallery]
Production Note
Dated AH 752
Materials
Silver; Copper alloy
Techniques
Champlevé; Raised
Categories
Islam; Metalwork
Collection code
MES
