Ewer with a Cock-Shaped Spout

Unknown

8th–early 9th century · Bronze; cast and pierced · Islamic Art

An almost identical ewer was unearthed near the site where the last Umayyad caliph, Marwan II, was assassinated at Abu Sir in Egypt. Ewers of this type may have been produced in Syria for the Umayyad and early Abbasid caliphs. The pierced decorations follow Byzantine prototypes. The spout, in the shape of a three‑dimensional crowing cock with ruffled wings, is rendered with great realism.

Artist

Unknown

Date

8th–early 9th century

Medium

Bronze; cast and pierced

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Samuel D. Lee Fund, 1941