Bottle, reliquary
BackThis object is a Gateway object. Gateway objects are significant artefacts in the collection and are used to represent and introduce bigger subjects and themes.
Description:
Rock crystal bottle; cylindrical; smaller in diameter at neck and foot; central band of ornamental Kufic in relief; now mounted with silver-gilt cap on mouth and foot, foot mount more recent; each mount held in place by five acanthus leaves; upper cap with suspension hook and inscribed in niello.
Object type: | bottle, reliquary |
Museum number: | AF.3129 |
Culture/period: | Fatimid dynasty |
Date: | 10thC-11thC (bottle)~14thC (mounts) |
Production place: | Made in: Egypt |
Materials: | rock crystal, niello, silver |
Technique: | gilded, relief, nielloed |
Dimensions: | Height: 8.90 cm Diameter: 9.00 mm (interior) |
Inscriptions: | Inscription details: inscription (middle) in Arabic in Kufic script Inscription quoted: Inscription transliteration: bakara li sahibihi Inscription translation: blessing to its owner Inscription: Inscription details: inscription (upper mount) in Latin Inscription quoted: +CPL:BAT:MRE Inscription transliteration: Capillus Beate Marie Inscription translation: The hair of the Blessed Mary |
Location: | 6 |
Exhibition history: | Exhibited: 2011 23 June-9 Oct, London, BM, 'Treasures of Heaven' 2011 13 Feb-8 May, Baltimore, Walters Museum of Art, 'Treasures of Heaven' 2010-2011 17 Oct-6 Jan, Ohio, Cleveland Museum of Art, 'Treasures of Heaven' |
Acquisition names: | Bequeathed by: Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks |
Acquisition date: | 1897 |
Curator's comments:
Once used to contain a hair of the Virgin.; check location: not in case 11
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