Skip to Main Content

Peacock-shaped Hand Washing Device (recto); Text Page, Arabic Prose (verso)

1315
opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Overall: 31.3 x 21.5 cm (12 5/16 x 8 7/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1945.383
Location: not on view
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Download, Print and Share

Did You Know?

The mouth of the peacock acts as a spigot pouring water; the figure emerged from a small door and offers soap to the hand washer.

Description

This leaf from a 1315 Syrian copy of Ibn al-Razzāz al-Jazarī’s The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices, written in 1206, depicts a peacock basin automaton for ritual hand washing. There are 15 surviving manuscript copies of al-Jazarī’s work, ranging from the early 13th to the late 19th century. An engineer from upper Mesopotamia, al-Jazarī was in the service of King Nasrī al-Dīn when he completed his masterwork, an anthology of automated devices including clocks, trick vessels for drinking sessions, devices for washing, fountains, water-raising machines, and measuring instruments. His designs clearly illustrate that automata were not innovations from Western Europe, but they stemmed from a tradition known in the ancient, Islamic, and Byzantine worlds. We do not know with certainty that al-Jazarī’s device was ever actually constructed.
Peacock-shaped Hand Washing Device (recto); Text Page, Arabic Prose (verso)

Peacock-shaped Hand Washing Device (recto); Text Page, Arabic Prose (verso)

1315

Syria, Damascus, Mamluk Period, 14th Century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    CMA Store

    Myth and Mystique: Cleveland's Gothic Table Fountain
    By Stephen N. Fliegel and Elina Gertsman The Cleveland Museum of Art’s medieval Table Fountain (c. 1320–40) has somehow survived nearly intact for over 700 years. A medieval automaton, the table fountain is an exquisite piece of Gothic architecture in miniature complete with parapets, vaults, arcades, and columns. Along with animal-shaped nozzles and intimate scenes in opaque enamel, the sight and sound of flowing water is also captured by water wheels and bells. An exquisite example of French metalwork, the fountain is truly a unique example of Gothic fashion and courtly taste. While little is known of its origin and history, similar fountains have been mentioned in royal inventories, but almost none have survived, leading early scholars to misunderstand its function. The third book in the museum’s Masterwork series, Myth and Mystique: Cleveland’s Gothic Table Fountain reassesses this extraordinary piece in the context of other similar luxury objects, analyzing specifically the fountain’s history, functionality, materials, and style." 164 pages Published 2016
    Myth and Mystique: Cleveland's Gothic Table Fountain
    Art: The Definitive Visual History
    by Andrew Graham Dixon Discover more than 2,500 of the world’s most influential paintings and sculptures in this beautifully- illustrated guide to the history of art. Introducing Art: The Definitive Visual Guide – an invaluable reference book that spans 30,000 years of global art history, from cave paintings to contemporary art, and showcases the works of over 700 artists in striking detail to truly bring the artwork to life. Each artistic movement, from the Italian Renaissance to Impressionism to Graffiti Art, is explained in clear detail with descriptions of their origins and influences, characteristic styles and techniques, and typical subjects.A visual timeline of key works gives an overview of the scope of each major movement, while graphics, overlays, and detailed close-ups, show readers how to "read" composition and subject matter, and explain the specifics of the techniques and methods the artist used to create their masterpieces.Explore the pages of this awe-inspiring art history book to discover: - Over 2500 of the world’s most influential paintings and sculptures- Features stunning artwork from more than 700 artists- ‘Closer Look’ sections offer a detailed analysis of key paintings The 6 core chapters are structured chronologically, starting with prehistoric art and ancient civilizations, right the way up until modern-day artwork, so there’s something for everyone to explore, learn and love. From Romanticism in the 19th Century to Realism in the 20th Century, whether it’s Pop Art or Expressionism, Minimalism and so much more – the beautiful full-color illustrations and striking imagery, make this art book the perfect gift for the art and history lover in your life, as well as an ideal coffee table book.Doubling up as a riveting reference book for anyone with an interest in art history who wants to gain a broader knowledge of the subject, as well as the perfect classroom companion in schools, libraries and more. Created in collaboration with Bridgeman, the biggest art library in the world, Art: The Definitive Visual Guide is a must-have for your bookshelf. 612 pages, Hardcover Published 2018
    Art: The Definitive Visual History
    Treasures from the Cleveland Museum of Art
    Forward by David Franklin Introduction by C. Griffith Mann with contributions by Curators and Associate Curators of the Cleveland Museum Staff The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 40,000 objects and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. Published to celebrate the closing stages of a long-term renovation and expansion, this exquisitely illustrated volume features treasures from the museum's deep and wide-reaching collection including Asian Art, African Art, American Painting and Sculpture, European Painting and Sculpture, Medieval Art, Ancient Egyptian Art, Ancient Near East and Greek and Roman Art, Islamic Art, Art of the Ancient Americas, Drawings, Prints, Photography, Decorative Art and Design, Textiles, Modern Art, and Contemporary Art. 352 pages Published 2012
    Treasures from the Cleveland Museum of Art
    The Cleveland Museum of Art: Art Spaces
    This fully illustrated book presents a brief view of the museum’s recent renovations and additions by famed architect Rafael VinÞoly. Confronted with the need to address facility concerns, devise more gallery space, and connect the various pre-existing styles from earlier additions, VinÞoly designs an architectural masterpiece by using a scheme of various spaces and architectural elements, all united by a soaring glass-roofed atrium to harmonize the museums architecture. 64 pages Published 2013
    The Cleveland Museum of Art: Art Spaces

    Contact us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

    To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

    All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.