Goblet

Back

This 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:

Goblet. Made of silver inlaid brass.

Object type:	goblet
Museum number:	1891,0623.4
Culture/period:	Ilkhanid dynasty
Date:	1300-1350 (circa)
Production place:	Made in: Iran
Materials:	brass, silver
Technique:	inlaid
Dimensions:	Height: 13.00 cm Width: 14.00 cm
Location:	11
Exhibition history:	Exhibited: 2003 13 Apr-27 Jul, Los Angeles, Los Angelese County Museum of Art (LACMA), 'The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256-1353' 2002-2003 5 Nov-16 Feb, New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 'The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256-1353'
Acquisition names:	Purchased through: George R Harding
Acquisition date:	1891

Curator's comments:

Inspired by manuscript illustrations, scenes of figures feasting and drinking on this footed cup reflect the courtly culture of post-Mongol Iran. While this example is made of high-tin bronze and inlaid with silver and gold, such footed cups were also produced in precious metals and stonepaste. The lyrical inscription relating to the cup’s function as a drinking vessel also reflects the taste for poetry at this time. Persian inscription: “O sweet beverage of our pleasures/O transparent Fount of Mirth/If Alexander had not seen you/O world-revealing bowl of Mani’s/How could his mind have conceived/The notion of the Fount of Life?” For a discussion of the metal analysis see Susan La Niece, Rachel Ward, Duncan Hook, and Paul Craddock, 'Medieval Islamic Copper Alloys' in Paul Jett, Blythe McCarthy, Janet G. Douglas (eds) 2012, Scientific Research on Ancient Asian Metallurgy. Archetype, London. 248-254. ISBN: 9781904982722