Gardners Art through the Ages A Global History

is typical of the period, consisting of a conical neck, wide body with

six vertical handles, and a tall foot. Inside, a small glass container

held the oil and wick. The enameldecoration (colors fused to the

surfaces) includes Tuquztimur’s emblem—an eagle over a cup

(Tuquztimur served as the sultan’s cup-bearer). Cursive Arabic cal-

ligraphy, also in enamel, gives the official’s name and titles as well as

a quotation of the Koranic verse (24:35) comparing God’s light to

the light in a lamp. When the lamp was lit, the verse (and Tuquz-

timur’s name) would have been dramatically illuminated.

BAPTISTÈRE DE SAINT LOUIS Metalwork was another

early Islamic art form (FIG. 13-15) that continued to play an impor-

tant role in the later period. An example of the highest quality is a

brass basin (FIG. 13-30) from Egypt inlaid with gold and silver and

signed—six times—by the Mamluk artist Muhammad ibn al-Zayn.

The basin, used for washing hands at official ceremonies, must have

been fashioned for a specific Mamluk patron. Some scholars think a

court official named Salar ordered the piece as a gift for his sultan,

but no inscription identifies him. The central band depicts Mamluk

hunters and Mongol enemies. Running animals fill the friezes above

and below. Stylized vegetal forms of inlaid silver fill the background

of all the bands and roundels. Figures and animals also decorate the

inside and underside of the basin. This Mamluk basin has long been

13-30Muhammad ibn al-Zayn,basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis), from Egypt, ca. 1300. Brass, inlaid with gold and silver, 8^3 – 4 high. Louvre, Paris.

Muhammad ibn al-Zayn proudly signed (six times) this basin used for washing hands at official ceremonies. The central band, inlaid with gold and

silver, depicts Mamluk hunters and Mongol enemies.

13-29Mosque lamp of Sayf al-Din Tuquztimur, from Egypt, 1340.

Glass with enamel decoration, 1 1 high. British Museum, London.

The enamel decoration of this glass mosque lamp includes a quotation

from the Koran comparing God’s light to the light in a lamp. The

burning wick dramatically illuminated the sacred verse.

Later Islamic Art 361

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