Cup with a Poem on Wine

Ibn Sukkara al-Hashimi

second half 10th–11th century · Silver; fire-gilded, hammered, chased · Islamic Art

The decoration of this cup, with a calligraphic band at its rim and a vegetal scroll at its base, is rather austere in appearance, but the inscription, a verse in Arabic, celebrates the pleasures of drinking. The cup compares closely with items in a hoard of silver found in northwest Iran that has been associated with Buyid patronage.

Artist

Ibn Sukkara al-Hashimi

Date

second half 10th–11th century

Medium

Silver; fire-gilded, hammered, chased

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1964