Bowl with Figural Imagery
Unknown Artist
second half 14th century
Medium
Brass; hammered and turned, engraved, and inlaid with gold, silver, and black compound
Dimensions
H. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm) Diam. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)
Classification
Metal
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1941
Accession Number
41.148
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Bowl with Figural Imagery*, crafted an unknown artist in the second half of the 14 century, exemplifies the pinnacle of Islamic metal artistry. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department (acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1941), the bowl measures 4¼ inches high and 7¼ inches in diameter, making it a perfect example of functional luxury ware likely used by elites for dining or display. Hammered and turned from brass, the vessel is masterfully engraved and inlaid with shimmering gold, silver, and black compound—a technique known as damascening or zarnij....