This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Copper alloy basin

Also known as:

Basin for ablutions

Location:

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Sharjah)

Holding Museum:

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

About Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah

Date of Object:

6th-7th century AH / 12th-13th century AD

Museum Inventory Number:

SM2006-1160

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Copper alloy; hammered, raised, engraved

Dimensions:

Height: 12.5cm, Diameter: 46cm

Provenance:

Khorasan / Eastern Iran

Description:

A round basin with a flat base and sides rising to an everted scalloped rim with 16 lobes.
The interior is engraved with a central rosette surrounded by concentric decorative bands of alternating spirals against a dotted ground; kufic script inscriptions; sunray motifs; and, just below the rim, a band of pseudo-calligraphy. There is no decoration on the outside of this basin.
This type of basin held water for use in daily ablutions prior to prayers.

How date and origin were established:

Stylistic analysis

How Object was obtained:

Purchased

How provenance was established:

Stylistic analysis

Citation of this web page:

Hazelle Page "Copper alloy basin" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;ua;Mus21;11;en

Prepared by: Hazelle Page

MWNF Working Number: UA 11