Basin

Object Details

• Description

  Basin, brass richly inlaid with silver, made for the Ayyubid Sultan Ayyub of Egypt (637-47/1239-49) and, at times, also of Syria (Damascus). Decorations include inscriptions in large Naskhi and plaited Kufic. Part of the silver inlay has fallen out, especially in the inscription of the interior; none are left on the inner bottom.

• Label

  Inscriptions on the interior and exterior of this extraordinary basin suggest that it was created during the reign of Sultan al-Malik al-Salih Najmuddin Ayyub, the last Ayyubid ruler, who reigned during the 1230s and 1240s. The work is particularly notable for its elaborate decoration which includes both Islamic and Christian themes. On the exterior, a wide inscription band depicts scenes from the life of Christ: the Annunciation, the Virgin and Child enthroned, the Raising of Lazarus, the Entry into Jerusalem, and perhaps the Last Supper. Some of the other motifs on the exterior consists of a lively polo game and a band of real and imaginary animals, punctuated by medallions with musicians. On the interior, a row of thirty-nine saints stands under ogival arches. Whether commissioned by a Muslim or Christian patron, the combination implies religious tolerance in thirteenth-century Ayyubid Syria.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Engaging the Senses (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)

  America Meets Asia at the Freer Gallery of Art (May 9, 1993 to April 18, 1998)

  Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art (September 27, 1985 to November 17, 1986)

  Christian Themes in Thirteenth-Century Islamic Metalwork (December 18, 1984 to September 3, 1985)

  Near Eastern Metalwork (February 29, 1980 to March 3, 1980)

  Art of the Arab World (May 8, 1975 to August 20, 1977)

  Near Eastern Art (June 15, 1973 to May 7, 1975)

  Near Eastern Art—Paintings, Pottery (August 18, 1967 to February 10, 1972)

  Near Eastern Art—Paintings, Metalwork (August 18, 1967 to February 10, 1972)

  Near Eastern Art (June 5, 1964 to August 18, 1967)

  Near Eastern Art (January 1, 1963 to August 18, 1967)

  Persian Art (January 1, 1963 to September 3, 1963)

  Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 6 and 7 (February 25, 1956 to April 10, 1962)

  Ausstellung von Meisterwerken Mohammedanischer Kunst in München (May to October 1910)

• Origin

  Probably Damascus, Syria

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Vessel

• On View

  Freer Gallery 04: Engaging the Senses

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1200s

• Place

  Damascus

• Topic

  Hammering, Kufic script, Art, Inlay (process), Arts of the Islamic World, Chasing, Metal-work

• Culture

  Muslims, Ayyubids, Syrians

• Language

  Naskh script

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)

• On View

  Yes