Hemispherical Basin

Location: Greater Iran, Khurasan or Afghanistan

Materials: high-tin bronze, cast and engraved

Dimensions: 20 x 46cm

Accession Number: MTW 925

Other Notes:

The elephant, whose trunk ends in a human head, is richly caparisoned and bears a howdah with three figures. The elephant driver (mahout) in front and musician behind are drawn with considerable animation. The figures are surrounded by a band of quails or partridges and a broader band of running hares. At the rim and on the exterior are benedictory inscriptions in bold Kufic.

Bibliography:

J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.21, p.44–5.