Beggar's Bowl (Kashkul)
Unknown Artist
late 19th–early 20th century
Medium
Steel; pierced, gold damascened
Dimensions
L: 10 in (25.4 cm) W: 6 in (15.24 cm) D: 4 1/2 in (11.43 cm)
Classification
Metal
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Jonathan Lipkin, 2018
Accession Number
2018.665.1
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Islamic Art collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, *Beggar's Bowl (Kashkul)* from the late 19th to early 20th century the exquisite metalwork traditions of the Islamic world.kuls were essential accessories for Sufi dervishes—wandering ascetics who embraced poverty as a path to spiritual enlightenment. Crafted from steel, this bowl served a practical purpose: collecting alms during pilgrimages or devotional journeys. Its generous dimensions—10 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 4½ inches deep—made it ideal for carrying food or offerings, while symbolizing humility and detachm...