Bronze Rose Water Sprinkler - LO.889, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 11 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk,  More »

Bronze Rose Water Sprinkler - LO.889, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 11 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Bronze. Metalwork in the Near East and Central Asia has always enjoyed a prestige beyond that of other applied arts such as ceramics and textiles. Major pieces were specially commissioned and often bear dedications to the princes and great nobles for whom they were made, together with the proudly inscribed names of their makers and decorators; their very durability and impressive appearance give them a high standing and dignity of their own. The best pieces were in bronze, either engraved, inlaid, overlaid or beaten in repousse', that is hammered out from behind of designs to appear in relief on the surface.   « Less

Sphero-Conical Glass Vessel - LO.891, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 700 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 4.1" (10.4cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Sphero-Conical Glass Vessel - LO.891, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 700 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 4.1" (10.4cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass. The number of extant sphero-conical vessels in glass is limited and represents only a fraction of those made of stone and ceramic. In general they distinguish themselves for their thinner and more delicate profile, hence excluding a use as containers for quicksilver or for long distance transports.   « Less

Copper Alloy Engraved Basin - LO.895, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 13.75" (34.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Copper Alloy Engraved Basin - LO.895, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 13.75" (34.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Quarternary Bronze.   « Less

Small Glass Juglet - LO.900, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 2." (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic,  More »

Small Glass Juglet - LO.900, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 2." (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass. Although the development from the pre-Islamic period to the middle of the ninth century is very recognizable in architecture, including works in stone, plaster and wood, it becomes quite blurred on other media such as metalwork and pottery. Between the 5th and the 8th century glass production seems unchanged, although the surviving objects would still point to an industry that persisted and thrived, almost careless of the political and religious turmoils of the Ummayad era, including the death of the prophet Muhammad. Perhaps, the diffusion of glass-blowing and the consequent paucity of high quality glass after the crumbling of the Roman Empire temporarily diverted the rulers' sponsorship of glassmaking, yet during this period glass became more accessible for mundane use and thus, by loosing its status value, possibly less attractive to affluent patrons.   « Less

Small Glass Jar - LO.901, Origin: Syrian Region, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2.625" (6.7cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium: Hot-Worked  More »

Small Glass Jar - LO.901, Origin: Syrian Region, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2.625" (6.7cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium: Hot-Worked glass. Although the development from the pre-Islamic period to the middle of the ninth century is very recognizable in architecture, including works in stone, plaster and wood, it becomes quite blurred on other media such as metalwork and pottery. Between the 5th and the 8th century glass production seems unchanged, although the surviving objects would still point to an industry that persisted and thrived, almost careless of the political and religious turmoils of the Ummayad era, including the death of the prophet Muhammad. Perhaps, the diffusion of glass-blowing and the consequent paucity of high quality glass after the crumbling of the Roman Empire might have hampered the rulers' sponsorship of glassmaking, yet during this period glass became more accessible for mundane use and thus, by loosing its status value, less attractive to affluent patrons.   « Less

Small Glass Jar - LO.902, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 1.7" (4.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic,  More »

Small Glass Jar - LO.902, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 1.7" (4.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Small Glass Juglet - LO.903, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2.125" (5.4cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium:  More »

Small Glass Juglet - LO.903, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2.125" (5.4cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium: hot-worked glass. Although the development from the pre-Islamic period to the middle of the ninth century is very recognizable in architecture, including works in stone, plaster and wood, it becomes quite blurred on other media such as metalwork and pottery. Between the 5th and the 8th century glass production seems unchanged, although the surviving objects would still point to an industry that persisted and thrived, almost careless of the political and religious turmoils of the Ummayad era, including the death of the prophet Muhammad. Perhaps, the diffusion of glass-blowing and the consequent paucity of high quality glass after the crumbling of the Roman Empire might have hampered the rulers' sponsorship of glassmaking, yet during this period glass became more accessible for mundane use and thus, by loosing its status value, less attractive to affluent patrons.   « Less

Small Glass Jar - LO.904, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2.50" (6.4cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium: Glass.

Small Glass Jar - LO.904, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2.50" (6.4cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Small Glass Juglet - LO.905, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 2.1" (5.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Small Glass Juglet - LO.905, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 2.1" (5.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium: hot-worked glass. Although the development from the pre-Islamic period to the middle of the ninth century is very recognizable in architecture, including works in stone, plaster and wood, it becomes quite blurred on other media such as metalwork and pottery. Between the 5th and the 8th century glass production seems unchanged, although the surviving objects would still point to an industry that persisted and thrived, almost careless of the political and religious turmoils of the Ummayad era, including the death of the prophet Muhammad. Perhaps, the diffusion of glass-blowing and the consequent paucity of high quality glass after the crumbling of the Roman Empire might have hampered the rulers' sponsorship of glassmaking, yet during this period glass became more accessible for mundane use and thus, by loosing its status value, less attractive to affluent patrons.   « Less

Small Glass Juglet - LO.906, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Small Glass Juglet - LO.906, Origin: Syria, Palestine, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium: hot-worked glass. Although the development from the pre-Islamic period to the middle of the ninth century is very recognizable in architecture, including works in stone, plaster and wood, it becomes quite blurred on other media such as metalwork and pottery. Between the 5th and the 8th century glass production seems unchanged, although the surviving objects would still point to an industry that persisted and thrived, almost careless of the political and religious turmoils of the Ummayad era, including the death of the prophet Muhammad. Perhaps, the diffusion of glass- blowing and the consequent paucity of high quality glass after the crumbling of the Roman Empire temporarily diverted the rulers' sponsorship of glassmaking, yet during this period glass became more accessible for mundane use and thus, by loosing its status value, possibly less attractive to affluent patrons. At any rates, late Roman glass made along the coasts of modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt (that is usually classified as 'eastern Mediterranean”) kept on being produced during the early Islamic period. One of its persistent features is represented by the decoration with applied trails that could be pulled either from the same glass batch or from a different one. Applied trails were also used functionally as handles and feet; commonly the thread was patterned in zigzags or simple spirals. When trails of the same colour were used, they were manipulated with a pointed tool or a fine pincher after they were applied to the vessel. While weathering due to burial often prevents a full appreciation of the chromatic as well as the sculptural appeal of a many glass vessels, others, like this one, have survived in excellent conditions and still convey a playful charm.   « Less