This casket would have been used for storage. It provides evidence of the artistic exchange between Europe and the Middle East. It was made in Sicily or southern Italy. For its base, however, the maker reused an earlier piece of woodwork with ivory inlay. This woodwork is an extremely rare example of a technique used in Cairo in the Fatimid period (969–1171).
In the medieval period, luxury goods from the Islamic Middle East found a ready market in Christian-ruled Europe. These imports enjoyed such enormous prestige that luxury goods made in Europe were often decorated in Islamic styles.
Physical description
Wood covered with panels of ivory decorated in outline with traces of colour and gilding; the mounts of silver. On the bottom is a panel inlaid with ivory, black mastic and wood, with a mutilated Kufic inscription reading 'barakah' ('blessing').
Place of Origin
Sicily, Italy (probably, made)
Egypt (bottom panel, probably, made)
Date
early 13th century (made)
ca. 1000-1150 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Wood and ivory with traces of colour and gilding
Marks and inscriptions
barakah 'blessing' (Arabic)
Dimensions
Height: 17 cm, Width: 25 cm, Depth: 16 cm
Descriptive line
Wooden casket faced with ivory panels, the base a reused piece of earlier woodwork with ivory inlay, Sicily or southern Italy, ca. 1200-1250 (the base Egypt, probably Cairo, ca. 1000-1150).
Labels and date
CASKET
Wood covered with panels of ivory decorated in outline with traces of colour and gilding; the mounts of silver. On the bottom is a panel inlaid with ivory, black mastic and wood, with a mutilated Kufic inscription, "Blessing".
SICULO-ARABIC; first half of the 13th century.
The panel with the Kufic inscription is probably Egyptian (Fatimid) dating from the 12th century. [Used until 11/2003]
Italian Casket with Egyptian Base
Sicily or southern Italy, and Egypt, probably Cairo
1200-50 and 1000-1150
Evidence for artistic exchange between Europe and the Middle East comes in many forms. This casket was made in Sicily or southern Italy. For its base, an earlier piece of woodwork with ivory inlay was reused. The base is an extremely rare example of a technique used in Cairo in the Fatimid period (969-1171).
Wood faced with ivory panels, painted and gilded, with silver mounts; the base, wood inlaid with ivory and black mastic
Museum no. 700-1884 [Jameel Gallery]
Production Note
Wooden casket made in Sicily or southern Italy, ca. 1200-1250. The base is a reused piece of earlier (Fatimid) woodwork with ivory inlay (probably Cairo, ca. 1000-1150).
Materials
Silver; Wood; Ivory; Mastic
Techniques
Painting; Gilding
Subjects depicted
Geometric patterns
Categories
Containers; Islam
Collection code
MES
