Physical description
Round brass dish with broad rim, decorated with silver wire in a European imitation of arabesque designs.
Place of Origin
Italy (made)
Venice, Italy (probably, made)
Date
1540-1550 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
brass chased and overlaid
Dimensions
Diameter: 49.5 cm, Height: 5 cm
Historical context note
Much so-called "Veneto-Saracenic" metalwork was actually produced in Mamluk lands for export to Europe. This example, though, is the product of a Venetian craftsman working in a Mamluk-inspired idiom, as can be seen in the highly Europeanizing arabesque.
Descriptive line
Brass charger with 'Veneto-Saracenic' decoration, Italy (probably Venice), 1540-50.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Sievernich, Gereon, and Budde, Hendrik, Europa und der Orient 800-1900 , Berlin, 1989. Catalogue of the exhibition, 28 May - 27 August, 1989. Catalogue entry 4/100 pp603-4, (Ill.227, p203)
Ward-Jackson, Peter. 'Some main streams and Tributaries in European Ornament (1500 to 1750). The Arabesque' In: Victoria and Albert Museum Bulletin, Vol.3, 3, 1967. pp. 90-103
James Allan, Metalwork of the Islamic World: The Aron Collection (London: Sotheby's, 1986), p. 60.
Tim Stanley ed., with Mariam Rosser-Owen and Stephen Vernoit, Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Middle East, London, V&A Publications, 2004; p. 129, plate 155
Exhibition History
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (The Millennium Galleries, Sheffield 14/01/2006-16/04/2006)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Setagaya Art Museum, Tokyo 01/10/2005-04/12/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas 03/04/2005-04/09/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (National Gallery of Art, Washington 18/07/2004-06/02/2005)
Labels and date
DISH
Brass damascened in silver
ITALIAN (Venice); 1540-50
259-1894
This dish is damascened; a technique which involved decorating engraved iron, brass or steel with gold or silver wire. The technique originated in Damascus and was mostly used by Islamic craftsmen. The style of this dish is similar to work by Sain ad-Din who made the bucket (1826-1888) shown in this case. The dish could have been made either by and Islamic artist working in Venice or by a Venetian who had trained with an Islamic master. [Used until 06/2004]
Brass Charger
Italy, probably Venice
1540-50
This charger was made in Italy, where it was decorated in the Veneto-Saracenic style. Its Italian origin is clear from its European shape and from the details of the decoration. The knotwork, for instance, resembles designs by European painters such as Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). It is much more elaborate than Islamic examples.
Brass and silver wire
Museum no. 259-1894 [Jameel Gallery]
SALVER
Brass, engraved and inlaid with silver
Venetian-Saracenic; early 16th century
Materials
Silver; Brass
Techniques
Engraving (incising)
Categories
Metalwork
Collection code
MET
