Cauldron
Unknown Artist
second half 14th century
Medium
Brass; cast and incised
Dimensions
H. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm) Diam. 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm)
Classification
Metal
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Ruth Blumka, 1976
Accession Number
1976.348
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Islamic Art collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this elegant brass cauldron from the second half of the 14th century exemplifies the masterful metalworking traditions of the medieval Islamic world. Standing 8 3/4 inches tall with a diameter of over 13 inches, it served practical purposes like cooking or communal feasting while doubling as a status symbol for affluent households. Donated by Mrs. Ruth Blumka in 1976, it invites us to imagine bustling kitchens in regions like Egypt or Syria during the Mamluk era, where such vessels blended utility with artistry. Crafted ...