Luxury Ewer Extending Good Fortune to the Owner

1223

inscription by

Ahmad al-Dhaki al-Mawsili

(Iraqi, Mosul, active early 1200s?)

Iraq, possibly Mosul, Zangid or Artugid Period, 13th Century

brass inlaid with silver; lid and base added later

Diameter: 26.6 cm (10 1/2 in.); Overall: 37.9 cm (14 15/16 in.); Diameter of base: 14.5 cm (5 11/16 in.)

John L. Severance Fund 1956.11

Location: 116 Islamic

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Did You Know?

Later owners roughly scratched their names into the neck of the ewer.

Description

This silver inlaid ewer was produced for luxury clientele. The wide band around the body of the vessel displays vignettes of daily and courtly life contained within multilobed medallions. Some of the scenes feature falconry, hunting, dancing, and several groups of musicians. All these scenes are set off against a skillfully executed arabesque background—a pervasive motif in Islamic art characterized by interwoven vegetal and curvilinear elements. An inscription around the ewer’s shoulder extends good fortune, prosperity, and peace to the owner. The ewer is dated 1223 and signed by the master craftsman Ahmad al-Dhaki of Mosul.