Two dishes, embossed, engraved, and punched brass
Eastern Iran or Afghanistan; 2nd half of 12th century
L: c. 45; W: c. 24.5 cm
Inventory number 8a/2001 & 8b/2001
Objects made of fairly thin sheet brass with embossed decoration were common in the eastern part of the Islamic world in the 12th century. Examples are candlesticks, ewers, bottles, umbos, and rectangular dishes.
These fish-shaped dishes must have been made in the same workshop, but 8b has engraved decoration in the center, while 8a does not. They have lovely vegetal ornamentation and a wealth of different kinds of animals – lions, foxes, dogs, hares, birds, and even two dragons, which wind around the fish tail on one of the dishes.
These fish-shaped dishes must have been made in the same workshop, but 8b has engraved decoration in the center, while 8a does not. They have lovely vegetal ornamentation and a wealth of different kinds of animals – lions, foxes, dogs, hares, birds, and even two dragons, which wind around the fish tail on one of the dishes.
