This ewer has a complex, angular form and cheerful decoration in silver. The good wishes in Arabic on the shoulder are in a bizarre style of script in which each upright ends in a human face. The figures between are four musicians. Those on the sides represent the moon.
In Islamic art, objects made from base materials were often transformed by sophisticated forms of decoration. Brassware, such as this ewer, was decorated with inlaid surface ornament.
For larger motifs, metalworkers chiselled out small areas of brass and filled them with thin sheets of silver, gold and copper. They added details by chasing the surface of the softer metals and contrast by using a black filler.
The inlay technique first became popular in eastern Iran in the mid 12th century. It then spread westwards and by 1250 was in use across the Middle East. Its popularity declined after 1500.
Physical description
Ewer (aftabe). Brass, sheet, inlaid with silver. Now with a patina of dark olive brown turning black. Decorated with poetic and benedictory inscriptions, in several different types of script, groups of flying birds, musicians, and seated female figures holding up huge crescent moons. These are probably traditional Persian representations of the 'Planet' Moon. Western Iran, 13th century.
Place of Origin
Iran (west, made)
Date
1220-1240 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Brass, hammered and welded; engraved decoration partly inlaid with silver and black composition
Marks and inscriptions
"" Persian; Kufic; upper inscription at the base of the neck is "undeciphered".; engraved
"" Might and lasting life, thankfulness and praise, [helping] destiny and wealth victory over the enemy, integrity! A-L-A! animated naskhi i.e with faces; main inscription on the shoulder
"" "undeciphered" kufic; at the bottom between the shoulder and the sides.
"" Lasting might, immune life, growing success, ascending luck, helping destiny, wide authority, lucky star L! naskhi; fifth inscription on the waisted foot
"" Khwaje Reyhan name engraved on the underside
Dimensions
Height: 43.7 cm
Height: 40.2 cm (up to pouring lip)
Diameter: 20.5 cm (circle enclosing faceted body at its widest)
Diameter: 15.2 cm (waisted foot)
Object history note
Purchased for £100 as part of Wrench collection from Mrs A Whitaker, Constantinople (Istanbul), 15 January 1897.
Descriptive line
Brass ewer inlaid with silver, featuring 'animated' inscriptions and musician- and moon-figures, Iran, 1220-40.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Melikian-Chirvani, A.S. Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, London:HMSO, 1982, p169-173, ISBN 0 11 290252 9
Survey, pl.1327.
Robinson, B. 50 Masterpieces of Metalwork, London, 1951, no.43, pp 88-9; illustrated and dated to the 'early years of the thirteenth century'.
Scerrato, V. Metalli Islamici, Milan, 1966, pl.45, p104; caption p.102 as 'Ilkhanid period, 13th c'
Tim Stanley ed., with Mariam Rosser-Owen and Stephen Vernoit, Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Middle East, London, V&A Publications, 2004; pp. 34, 97, plate 39
Labels and date
EWER
Worked sheet brass, with engraved decoration and silver inlay
WESTERN PERSIA; 13th century
The inscriptions consist of conventional blessings, sometimes in abreviated or garbled form. The same owners name is found as on the candlestick shown close by, suggesting the two pieces were made in the same workshop.
Ewer with Musicians and Moons
Iran
1220-40
This later ewer is of a completely different type. It has a complex, angular form and cheerful decoration in silver. The good wishes in Arabic on the shoulder are in a bizarre style of script in which each upright ends in a human face. The figures between are four musicians, while those on the sides represent the moon.
Brass, inlaid with silver
Museum no. 381-1897
Materials
Silver; Brass (alloy)
Techniques
Engraving (incising); Inlay (process); Hammering; Welding
Categories
Islam; Containers; Metalwork
Collection code
MES
