Inv. no. LNS 28 M
Cast in openwork, chased, engraved and gilded
Diameter 6.4 cm; thickness 0.3 cm
Iranian world, 11th – 12th century AD
5th – 6th century AH
The al-Sabah Collection contains almost two thousand items of metalwork ranging from elaborately worked vessels inlaid with precious metals to simply cast bronze finials in the form of animals. Islamic metalworkers, whether in Cairo or Herat, often fashioned relatively simple forms covered the surface in dazzling engraved or precious metal-inlaid patterns of arabesque interlace, processions of animals or long benedictory inscriptions. Objects with calligraphy as decoration occur more frequently in metalwork than any other medium used for objects of utility. These range from benedictory inscriptions to verses from the Qur’an to lines of poetry, and sometimes include the signatures of the artists.
The ancient Near East has a long history of working in copper alloy and bronzes and brasses (copper alloyed with other metals) became the most important material in the pre-Islamic periods. Objects are almost invariably sculpturally powerful. In the hands of skilled artists, everyday objects such as oil lamps or incense burners became works of art. Brass was especially popular in the Mamluk domains. In the later period, especially in Iran and India, steel was used for decorative purposes; despite its hardness, it could be cut in openwork patterns, such as arabesques and calligraphic compositions as delicate as lace.
Inv. no. LNS 28 M
Cast in openwork, chased, engraved and gilded
Diameter 6.4 cm; thickness 0.3 cm
Iranian world, 11th – 12th century AD
5th – 6th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 1218 M
Cast in openwork, chased and engraved, the eyes inlaid with light turquoise-glazed faience, the latter inlaid with a thin slab of turquoise-coloured glass
Height 26.5 cm; length 26.6 cm
East Iranian world, 11th – 12th century AD
5th – 6th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 939 M
Cast, chased, pierced and engraved
Height 29 cm; width 19 cm
East Iranian world, 10th – 11th century AD
4h – 5th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 293 M
Cast, with lathe-cut details, engraved and gilded
Height 7.5 cm; diameter 22.8 cm
India, probably Hyderabad, dated 956 AH/1549-50 AD
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Inv. no. LNS 804 M
Cast in sections, chased, soldered, pierced and engraved
Height 14.2 cm; width 26 cm
East Iranian world, ca. 10th century AD
ca. 4th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 110 M
Hammered from sheet, engraved and inlaid
Height 22.2 cm; diameter 48.3 cm
Egypt or Syria, 1st half 14th century AD
1st half 8th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 82 M
Raised and fabricated from sheet and worked in repoussée, engraved and inlaid
Height 31 cm; diameter 33 cm
East Iranian world, late 12th – early 13th century AD
late 6th – early 7th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 104 M
Cast, engraved and inlaid with niello
Length 14.8 cm; width 3.2 cm
Iranian world, 12th century AD
6th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 1136 M a
Hammered from sheet and worked in repoussé
Length 44 cm; width 26.3 cm
East Iranian world, 12th century AD
6th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 1052 M a,b
Cast in openwork and engraved
Height 31.2 cm; diameter 21 cm
East Iranian world, ca. 11th century AD
ca. 5th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 992 M
Cast in openwork and engraved
Height 22 cm; diameter 13.7 cm
East Iranian world, ca. 11th century AD
ca. 5th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 409 M
Cast in openwork and engraved
Height 7.6 cm; length 28.5 cm
East Iranian world, 9th – 10th century AD
3rd – 4th century AH
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Inv. no. LNS 36 M
Cast and engraved
Height 22.3 cm; diameter 17.7 cm
Iraq, probably Baghdad, dated 315 AH/927-28 AD
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Inv. no. LNS 1338 M
Body and handle separately cast, chased and engraved
Height 38 cm; width 17 cm
East Iranian world, 8th – 9th century AD
2nd – 3rd century AH
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