Casket: O.2-1908

Entities

• Casket
• Islamic metalwork

Categories

• Metalwork

Description

Brass casket inlaid with silver and gold, with a copper and brass rim strip and iron clasp

Brass casket with a hinged lid; relief decoration and silver and gold inlay. A twisted copper and brass strip has been added on the body and rim, along with a later iron closing clasp.
Shape: cuboid with faceted ends and a domed lid, with decorative brass ring attached. The body and lid are constructed from several sheets of brass soldered together hamered into shape and to form relief decoration. Base sheet is turned up around the lower edges.
Front: two relief stars with small central rosettes (cast separately and screwed into place), are inset on the base and front. On the latter, these are framed by a naskhi inscription above and below; all this decoration is outlined with a border.
Sides: relief medallion comprising penbox terminating in palmettes and outlined by a thin band of scrolling stems, leaves and rosettes, matched on the remaining facets.
Back: T-shaped cast hinges are decorated with the same pattern of scrolling stems, leaves and rosettes, while in the centre of the body a medallion, containing scrolls around a 5-petal rosette is adorned with finials above and below. This medallion disguises the join down the centre of the back wall.
Lid: flame script on the front panel is surrounded by scrolling stems and leaves. On the upper section, at the front a rear, a relief heart shaped rosette is flanked on each side by a wheel-shaped flower and further scrolling vines. The facets on the side of the lid are outlined with a band of scrolling stems, leaves and rosettes, matching those on the front and sides.

Notes

History note: Pietra Liguria, costal town on Gulf of Genoa, Liguria or possibly Final Marina (Ligure Marina or Finalmarina), port on town of Finale Ligure

Legal notes

Given by the Rev. T. Hewitt

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1908-10-07) by Hewitt, T. Rev.

Dating

14th Century, third quarter
Probably 1366 CE - Probably 1368 CE

School or Style

Mamluk