Perfume Sprinkler (Qumqum)

Unknown

early 13th century · Glass, blue; blown, enameled, and gilded · Islamic Art

Globular‑bodied perfume sprinklers with marvered and combed herringbone designs were popular in thirteenth century Syria, and a few bear further gilded ornament. At first glance, this piece looks like an example of such a technique. Closer inspection reveals its pale blue zigzag design to be enamel‑painted on the cobalt‑colored body, in imitation of marvering.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 13th century

Medium

Glass, blue; blown, enameled, and gilded

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Bequest of Walter C. Baker, 1971