On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Ascetic's Bowl

ca. 1500 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Iran (made)

Bowls for collecting alms were used by dervishes, the name given to Muslim mystics who lived in religious poverty. This example is engraved along the rim with a Shi’ite prayer for the Fourteen Immaculates. These were the members of Muhammad's family whom the Shi'ite Muslims of Iran hold in greatest esteem. The Safavid dynasty (ruled 1501-1722), who came to power about the time this bowl was made, were both Shi’ite Muslims and the leaders of a dervish order.

This bowl is made of copper covered with a layer of tin. It would once have shone like silver. This bright surface would have contrasted strongly with the recessed background, which was filled with a black composition.

Object details

Category
Metalwork
Object type
Ascetic's bowl
Materials and techniques
Tinned copper
Copper
Tinned
Brief description
Beggar's bowl, Iran, about 1500.
Physical description
Dervish's wallet or kashkul, boat-shaped, made of tinned copper and engraved with Arabic text and floral decoration.
Dimensions
  • Maximum length: 25cm
  • Maximum height: 11.9cm
  • Maximum depth: 13.5cm
Style
Safavid
Marks and inscriptions
  • Inscription band consists of prayer calling God's blessings on the Fourteen Protected Ones
    Translation
    O God may Thy Grace descend upon al-Mustafa, al-Murtada, The Lady, the two Grandsons, Zayn al-'Ibad al Baqri/ qir, al-Sadiq, al-Kazim, al-Rida, al-Taqi, al-Naqi, al-Askari, The Guide
  • Underside of the vessel has owner's mark incised in the 18th century, and superimposed by another owner's mark in the 19th century. Only the date of the earlier mark can be made out under the new inscription.
    Translation
    1145/24 June 1732-13 June 1733
  • Second inscription
    Translation
    O Muhammad! Abbas ali Agha
Gallery label
(Jameel Gallery)
Jameel Gallery

Beggar's bowl
Iran or Afghanistan
About 1500

Bowls for collecting alms were used by dervishes - Muslim mystics who lived in religious poverty. This example is engraved along the rim with a Shi'ite prayer for the Fourteen Immaculates. The Safavid dynasty, who came to power about the time this bowl was made, were both Shi'ites and the leaders of a dervish order.

Copper engraved, tinned and filled with a black composition

Museum no. 755-1889
(Used until 10/2002)
DERVISH'S WALLET
Tinned copper
PERSIAN; 18th century (Richard Collection)

DERVISH'S BEGGING BOWL
Tinned copper, engraved with Arabic texts and floral scrolls.
PERSIAN; 17th century
Object history
Historical significance: Possibly the earliest datable prayer on metal calling God's blessing on the Fourteen Immaculates.
Summary
Bowls for collecting alms were used by dervishes, the name given to Muslim mystics who lived in religious poverty. This example is engraved along the rim with a Shi’ite prayer for the Fourteen Immaculates. These were the members of Muhammad's family whom the Shi'ite Muslims of Iran hold in greatest esteem. The Safavid dynasty (ruled 1501-1722), who came to power about the time this bowl was made, were both Shi’ite Muslims and the leaders of a dervish order.

This bowl is made of copper covered with a layer of tin. It would once have shone like silver. This bright surface would have contrasted strongly with the recessed background, which was filled with a black composition.
Bibliographic references
  • A. S. Melikian-Chirvani, Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World 8-18th Centuries, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1982, pp.253-54, no.112.
  • Linda Komaroff, The Golden Disk of Heaven: Metalwork of Timurid Iran Costa Mesa, California, and New York, 1992, pp.203, 205, no.23.
Collection
Middle East Section
Accession number
755-1889

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Record createdMarch 18, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76927/ascetics-bowl-unknown/
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