Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Islamic Middle East, Room 42, The Jameel Gallery

Footed Bowl

1800-1875 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The beggar's bowl was a sign of the religious poverty assumed by Islamic mystics. Paradoxically, they can be objects of great sophistication. The inscriptions often include verses from the Qur'an or poetry in Persian about the mystic's quest for enlightenment. In this example, however, the text around the rim is a Shi’ite prayer. One is a short Arabic poem which begins 'Call upon Ali, in whom miracles are manifested'. The other is a triple invocation of God, Muhammad and Ali.

This particular bowl also has elaborate openwork carving on the side handles. This type of carving is associated with the village of Abadah near Isfahan and was used on utensils of different types.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Lime wood, carved and painted
Brief description
Footed bowl (kashkul) with elaborately carved openwork handles at the sides, Iran, 1800-75.
Physical description
Footed bowl with prominent openwork handles (in the form of two large buteh) on the sides; some highlighting in green paint. Inscriptions are carved on either side of the bowl's rim; one is the Arabic verse Nadi 'Aliyyan, while the other is a triple invocation of God, Muhammad and 'Ali.
Dimensions
  • Length: 33cm
  • Width: 12.3cm
  • Depth: 17.7cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • one side along rim
    Translation
    Nadi 'Aliyyan (quatrain in Arabic, 'Call upon Ali')
  • other side along rim
    Translation
    invocation of God, Muhammad, and Ali
Gallery label
Jameel Gallery 12–14 Beggar’s Bowls Iran 1800–75 The beggar’s bowl was a sign of the religious poverty assumed by Islamic mystics. This function is reflected in the inscriptions used. They include verses from the Qur’an (12), poetry in Persian about the mystic’s quest for enlightenment (13), and Shi’ite prayers (14). The first bowl (12) is carved from half the shell of a huge nut – the fruit of the coco de mer palm. The tree grows in the Seychelle Islands, in the Indian Ocean, and the shell washes ashore in southern Iran. The steel bowl (13) has the same shape. 12 Carved coco de mer with steel mounts Museum no. 876-1889 13 Steel with chiselled decoration. Signed by Haji Abbas Museum no. 405-1876 14 Lime wood, carved and painted Museum no. 726-1876(Jameel Gallery)
Summary
The beggar's bowl was a sign of the religious poverty assumed by Islamic mystics. Paradoxically, they can be objects of great sophistication. The inscriptions often include verses from the Qur'an or poetry in Persian about the mystic's quest for enlightenment. In this example, however, the text around the rim is a Shi’ite prayer. One is a short Arabic poem which begins 'Call upon Ali, in whom miracles are manifested'. The other is a triple invocation of God, Muhammad and Ali.

This particular bowl also has elaborate openwork carving on the side handles. This type of carving is associated with the village of Abadah near Isfahan and was used on utensils of different types.
Collection
Accession number
726-1876

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Record createdFebruary 23, 2005
Record URL
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