Bowl
Unknown Artist
13th century
Medium
Bronze; engraved and inlaid with silver
Dimensions
H. 3 5/16 in. (8.4 cm) Max Diam. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm)
Classification
Metal
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.556
Art Historical Context
This elegant 13th-century bronze bowl, standing just over 3 inches tall and 7 inches wide, exemplifies the masterful metalworking traditions of the Islamic world. Crafted by an unknown artist, its surface is finely engraved and inlaid with silver, a known as damascening or koftgari. This labor-intensive process involved incising intricate patterns into the bronze and hammering silver wire into the grooves creating shimmering contrasts that catch the light and highlight motifs like arabesques, calligraphy, or geometric designs—hallmarks of Islamic decorative arts. Produced during a golden age ...