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Doris Behrens-Abouseif, Michael Rogers, Melanie Gibson,
Nahla Nassar and others
The collection of Islamic metalwork comprises nearly 1,000 objects
from lands as far apart as Sicily and India, dating from the Sasanian
period to the 19th century. It is especially noteworthy for the
range of objects that are represented. While some are fine examples
of well known types, many are unique in form or decoration.
As well as variety, however, the Collection emphasizes similarities:
there are several examples of a single form or design - such as
the 20 mortars; the impressive group of high tin bronze objects;
and the important collection of 11th-13th century inkwells - which
enable the tracing of stylistic developments within a given school.
Another large and important group of objects comprises ewers, oil
lamps and incense burners made in the shape of various birds and
animals.
Several items are of historical importance as they are dated and
inscribed with the names of artists and patrons. One such example
is the only known dated inkwell from thhe Saljuq period. It was
made for Hajji Muhammad bin Hasan bin abu Sa'id in AH 607 (AD 1210).
The two tray stands made for Amir Khurasan Ikhtiyar al-Din Muhammad
bin 'Ali Kharpust are also of great historical significance. Kharpust,
a descendant of the great Kings of Ghur and governor of Peshawar,
occupied Ghazna in AD 1220 and was assassinated there in the same
year. Among the signed pieces are two silver and copper inlaid penboxes
by the brilliant craftsman Shadhi al-Naqqash.
The Collection boasts several important precious metal objects -
a rare group in Islamic metalwork. Examples are a large silver ewer
from the early Islamic period; a repoussé-decorated silver bowl
from the 12th century; and a unique silver plate decorated with
a granulated gold inscription mentioning the name of Shahriyar ibn
Qarin, a ruler in Mazanderan, north-western Iran (reg. AD 1074-1110).
Ottoman silver vessels include a late 15th-century silver jug and
the only dated Ottoman silver object from the 16th century, a ladle
with a niello inscription and the date AH 985 (AD 1577-8).
Notable among 13th-century objects from the Jazira is a silver-inlaid
rectangular casket which still retains the four-dial component from
a combination lock; the base of a candlestick which was probably
made in the workshop of Ahmad al-Dhaki al-Naqqash al-Mawsili; a
cast decorative attachment of monumental dimensions, signed by Shakir
ibn Ahmad; and, in particular, the only known matching pair of door-handles
in the shape of two intertwined dragons. These are the largest and
most splendid of an extremely rare type.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Professor Géza Fehérvári was formerly Professor
of Islamic Art and Archaeology at the School of Oriental and African
Studies, London; he is author of several publications on various
aspects of Islamic art and archaeology.
Nahla Nassar is Acting Curator and Registrar of the Khalili Collection,
with special interest in metalwork and the arts of the Jazira.
DETAILS
(to be published)
set of 2 parts fully illustrated in colour; numerous line drawings;
section on inscriptions with translations
35.5 x 25.5 cm
hardback with dust jacket (slipcased)
£89 $180
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