Basin of Sultan Qaytbay
Unknown Artist
ca. 1468–96
Medium
Brass; inlaid with silver
Dimensions
H. 5 in. (12.7 cm) Max Diam. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
Classification
Metal
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.565
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Islamic Art collection of the Metropolitan Museum of, the *Basin of Sultan Qtbay* (ca. 1468–96) exemplifies the exquisite metalwork of Egypt's Mamluk dynasty. Crafted during the reign of Sultan Qaytb, a powerful Circassian ruler who transformed Cairo into a glittering center of culture and architecture, this basin likely served as a luxury vessel for ritual handwashing in elite households or palaces. Its inscription or blazon associating it with the sultan underscores its royal patronage, reflecting the era's blend of power, piety, and artistry. Made of brass inlaid with silver...