Box
1300-1350 (made), 19th century (altered)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This casket was originally designed for security as much as elegance. However the silver mounts, which were probably added in the 19th century, have obscured this fact. The larger projecting ornaments or knops on the lid replaced the dials of a number-combination lock. The smaller knops replaced a pair of hinges at the back and the closing device at the front.
The casket is a good example of brassware decorated with inlaid surface ornament. It was made in the heyday of the inlay technique. 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. Contrast was created with a black filler.
The casket is a good example of brassware decorated with inlaid surface ornament. It was made in the heyday of the inlay technique. 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. Contrast was created with a black filler.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Brass inlaid with gold and silver |
| Brief description | Casket, brass with inlaid decoration, rectangular, western Iran, 1300-50. |
| Physical description | Rectangular casket of brass inlaid with silver and gold with inscription around base of lid. Clasp parts on lid and body. Conical elements on lid cast separately, background of arabesque all over. On lid and body small medallions with strapwork. All four sides of the casket feature central roundels with birds and triangular elements filled with strapwork. The feet of the casket contain human-headed animals - possibly harpies. The shape of the casket is similar to Oriental lacquer boxes, particularly the feet. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | (Inscription; decoration; Arabic; Around base of lid; inlay) |
| Gallery label |
|
| Production | Silver mounts probably added in the 19th century. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This casket was originally designed for security as much as elegance. However the silver mounts, which were probably added in the 19th century, have obscured this fact. The larger projecting ornaments or knops on the lid replaced the dials of a number-combination lock. The smaller knops replaced a pair of hinges at the back and the closing device at the front. The casket is a good example of brassware decorated with inlaid surface ornament. It was made in the heyday of the inlay technique. 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. Contrast was created with a black filler. |
| Bibliographic reference | Stanley Lane-Poole, The Art of the Saracens in Egypt, London, 1886, p.220. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 459-1873 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 18, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
