Kettle Ewer with Dragon-Headed Spout

Unknown

late 16th–early 17th century · Brass; cast and later engraved · Islamic Art

Arabic Inscription (from the Qur'an, Sura 2 [al‑Baqara]: 255): "God, there is no God but He, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth." Although this type of ewer was also made in Iran, the pronounced verticality, elongated spout, and Timurid-style dragon of this example point to a northern Indian origin. It was later inscribed with a Qur'anic verse and the name of its owner, 'Abdullah Muhammad.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 16th–early 17th century

Medium

Brass; cast and later engraved

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915