Beaker

Object Details

• Description

  Beaker, enamelled and gilded. Honey-colored fluted body set on foot. Colors: red, yellow, white, light blue, green; red outlines.

• Label

  Enameled glass vessels were one of the most sought-after luxury items of medieval Syria and Egypt, avidly collected by wealthy patrons throughout the Islamic world and beyond. A technical virtuosity, enameled glass was created by outlining the decorative elements with red enamel and filling them in with white, blue, green, yellow and other colors. Much like the process for luster-painted ceramics, the enamel was applied cold and fixed to the surface by firing the vessel again at a low temperature.

  This fluted, honey-colored beaker is one of the largest drinking vessels to survive intact from the Mamluks in Egypt and Syria (1250-1517). Its decoration is probably inspired by contemporary manuscript paintings and depicts courtly figures and scenes of royal pastimes, such as hunting and polo.

• 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)

  Ancient Glass (May 26, 1982 to June 25, 1982)

  Art of the Mamluks (May 14, 1981 to May 25, 1982)

  Art of the Arab World (August 15, 1980 to May 13, 1981)

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

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

  Glass Exhibition, in honor of VI International Congress on Glass (July 4, 1962 to December 3, 1962)

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

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, Pottery, Metalwork, and Glass (April 12, 1955 to November 21, 1955)

  Special Exhibition, Near Eastern Art (September 15, 1953 to February 9, 1954)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Arts, 1947 (October 6, 1947 to February 25, 1956)

• Origin

  Syria

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Vessel

• On View

  Freer Gallery 03: Engaging the Senses

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1200s, 1300s

• Topic

  Gilding, Art, Mamluk period (1250 - 1517), Arts of the Islamic World, Enamel and enameling, Roman Period (30 BCE - 395 CE), Glassblowing

• Culture

  Muslims, Syrians

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)

• On View

  Yes