Casket with Figural Imagery

Unknown

mid-13th century · Brass; worked metal sheet inlaid with silver · Islamic Art

The walls of this casket bear seated figures and musicians with coursing animals on the borders. Most of the silver inlay that once provided contrast to the forms has been lost, as craftsmen working in the mid-thirteenth century did not prepare metal sheets to receive precious metal, but simply incised outlines around the areas to be inlaid. The pseudo-calligraphy along the chamfered portion of the lid of this casket is purely decorative.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-13th century

Medium

Brass; worked metal sheet inlaid with silver

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891