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

Name of Object:

Water seller's jar

Also known as:

Water jar

Location:

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Sharjah)

Holding Museum:

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

 About Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah

Date of Object:

13th century AH / 19th century AD

Museum Inventory Number:

SM1996-219

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Ceramic, copper alloy, rope

Dimensions:

Height: 87.4cm, Diameter: 29cm

Provenance:

Egypt

Description:

The egg-shaped jar has a narrow neck the top of which is covered by a dome-shaped lid. There is a curved handle on each side of the neck base and a long, straight spout. The lower part of the jar is made of unglazed and undecorated earthenware, a common material for water vessels that enables water evaporation thus keeping the water inside cool. The upper part is made of copper alloy, engraved with decorative bands of intertwined floral motifs; knot work patterns; stylised four-legged animals amongst a vegetal design; and two calligraphic bands. The jar sits in a knotted rope net with handle for carriage on the water seller’s back.

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 "Water seller's jar" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;ua;Mus21;19;en

Prepared by: Hazelle Page


MWNF Working Number: UA 19