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

Name of Object:

Kashkul

Also known as:

Begging bowl

Location:

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Sharjah)

Holding Museum:

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

About Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah

Date of Object:

Late 13th century AH / 19th century AD

Museum Inventory Number:

SM1996-209

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Copper/zinc alloy, iron; etched design

Dimensions:

Height: 11.5cm, Length: 27cm, Width: 13.5cm

Provenance:

Iran

Description:

Boat-shaped begging bowl etched with small animals amidst interlocking floral and vegetal decoration and two human motifs. Below the shoulder is a wide band of thuluth calligraphy. Dervishes carried these bowls in their hands or hung them over their shoulders to collect charitable donations. On occasion they shared some of the donations with others in need. Kashkul is a Persian word from kish (to drag) and kul(shoulder).

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 "Kashkul" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;ua;Mus21;23;en

Prepared by: Hazelle Page

MWNF Working Number: UA 23