The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 19, 2024
Bath Pail (Satl)
c. 1580–1610
(1501-1722)
Overall: 17 cm (6 11/16 in.); Diameter of base: 11 cm (4 5/16 in.); Diameter of rim: 16.8 cm (6 5/8 in.)
Gift of Rosenberg & Stiebel, Inc. 1969.291
Location: 116 Islamic
Did You Know?
Three animal motifs are repeated within the geometric interlacing: a doe with its head turned backward; a water fowl; and a horned animal, possibly an ibex.Description
Building on the tradition of ancient Roman baths, the hammam (public bath) was, and still is, an integral part of social life in the Islamic world. This pail was used to carry bathing equipment for a wealthy individual from their home to the hammam. It is decorated with an interlacing geometric design with a central band of repeating animals. Bathing was a popular theme with Iranian poets. On this piece, verses by the celebrated poet Jami (died 1492) relay the story of a youth inquiring as to why the hammam brings so much joy. An elder responds, “The secret is that the bather has nothing of the trappings of this world / But a bathing-bowl and towel—and even those belong to others.”- de Rothschild collection, Paris, France?-1969Rosenberg and Stiebel, Inc., New York, NY, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art1969-The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Art of the Islamic World (Islamic art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (May 21, 2021-May 31, 2022).
- {{cite web|title=Bath Pail (Satl)|url=false|author=|year=c. 1580–1610|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1969.291