Title: Drinking Vessel with Dragon Handle
Date: late 15th century
Location: north-east Iran
Materials: brass or bronze, cast, spun on a lathe, chased and inlaid with gold and silver; handle cast
Dimensions: 13.6 x 8.1cm
Accession Number: MTW 288
Other Notes:
Dated metal mugs with dragon-handles are practically all from the reign of the Timurid ruler of Herat, Husayn Bayqara (r 1470–1505). They represent the final phase of the drinking vessels with such handles which first appear in the Eurasian steppes with the coming of the Mongols.
This example is inlaid with an all-over pattern of fine florets and leaflets in ogival panels. The handle bears a loop to attach a lid, now lost.
Bibliography:
J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.230, pp.190–91.
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