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

Name of Object:

Basin

Location:

Vienna, Austria

Holding Museum:

Kunsthistorisches Museum

 About Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Date of Object:

Hegira early 9th century / AD early 15th century

Museum Inventory Number:

KK_5798

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Bronze, partially gilded and silvered

Dimensions:

Diameter: 21.8cm

Period / Dynasty:

Mamluk

Provenance:

Egypt?

Description:

This embellished, partially gilt and silvered basin originated in the Mamluk Empire and probably dates from the early 15th century. Craftsmen fleeing before the advancing Mongols helped make the Mamluk Empire a centre for damascened work. But a series of economic crises and the resulting shortage of precious metals led to a steep reduction in the number of objects featuring damascening produced in the 15th century; the elaborate technique was replaced by engraved decorations that were frequently silvered or gilt to enhance their preciousness. The final result almost rivalled damascened work but the much thinner covering used in gilding and silvering meant that artists required much less precious metal, resulting in greatly reduced costs.

How date and origin were established:

Arthistorical and historical analysis, archival and inventory research

How Object was obtained:

From the k.k. Münz- und Antikenkabinett

How provenance was established:

Listed in the AD 1875 inventory of the Münz- und Antikenkabinett

Selected bibliography:

Leitner-Böchzelt, Susanne and Pfaffenbichler, Matthias (eds), Die Welt des Orients. Kunst und Kultur des Islam, Leoben: Stadtgemeinde Leoben, 2006.

Citation of this web page:

 "Basin" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;at;Mus22;38;en

Copyedited by: Liz Cooper


MWNF Working Number: AT2 38