Title: Hemispherical Basin
Date: 11th or 12th century AD
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.
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