Artwork Page for Bird-shaped Vessel

Details / Information for Bird-shaped Vessel

Bird-shaped Vessel

1100s

Iran, Seljuq period

(1037–1194)
Medium
bronze, cast, with chased and chiseled decoration; eyes inlaid with blue glass
Measurements
Overall: 17.5 x 9.5 cm (6 7/8 x 3 3/4 in.)
Weight: 780 g (1.72 lbs.)
Credit Line
Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1948.458
Public Domain
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Location
116 Islamic
Print
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Did You Know?

There is an undeciphered Kufic inscription above the bird's tail feathers.

Description

This bird-shaped vessel may have been used as a medieval water vessel (aquamanile) for pouring water used in handwashing—an important element of secular and sacred rituals. In this piece, water could have been placed in the vessel through a hole in the bird’s chest and then poured out through the hinged beak. Birds in Islamic art often represented messengers and protectors, or symbolized freedom of the spirit and soaring of the soul. Possibly the blue-green eyes were considered good luck charms to protect the owner from the evil eye and to ward off misfortune.
Bronze vessel shaped like a bird with a round body extending into a short neck and two cylindrical legs with cross-shaped feet. Dark brown with an occasional bronze-gold sheen interlaced with green corrosion, a circle surrounded by circles patterns the bird's chest and side. The chest's central circle has a hole in the center. The bird has a short, pointed beak with a hinge on the upper half and turquoise blue glass for an eye.

Bird-shaped Vessel

1100s

Iran, Seljuq period (1037–1194)

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