Brass box, engraved and inlaid with silver
Syria; 15th century
H:10.2; D 7.8; L: 16.8 cm
Inventory number 2/1996
The box belongs to a small, fairly uniform group that includes one with an inscription stating that it was made by the astronomer at the great mosque in Damascus, and another that held medical equipment.
This is probably also true of this box. The inscription notes that it was made for a chief physician, Yunus, who was an expert in both pharmacology and surgery.
The box was engraved with a stylized fleur-de-lis in several places, indicating that Yunus was associated with the Maristan al-Nuri in Damascus. This hospital was built in the 12th century by Nur al-Din Zengi and was restored in the 14th century by Sultan Qalawun. The heraldic emblems of both rulers were fleurs-de-lis, which are found all over the Maristan al-Nuri.
This is probably also true of this box. The inscription notes that it was made for a chief physician, Yunus, who was an expert in both pharmacology and surgery.
The box was engraved with a stylized fleur-de-lis in several places, indicating that Yunus was associated with the Maristan al-Nuri in Damascus. This hospital was built in the 12th century by Nur al-Din Zengi and was restored in the 14th century by Sultan Qalawun. The heraldic emblems of both rulers were fleurs-de-lis, which are found all over the Maristan al-Nuri.
Published in
Published in
Sotheby’s, London 9/10 1995, lot 96;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in the David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat. 519;
Joachim Meyer, Rasmus Bech Olsen and Peter Wandel: Beyond Words. Calligraphy from the World of Islam, Davids Samling, Copenhagen 2024, pp. 276-277, cat. 108;
Carine Juvin (ed.): Mamlouks: 1250-1517, Musée du Louvre, Paris 2025, fig. 107, p. 150 and p. 343, cat. 107;
Carine Juvin (ed.): Mamluks. Legacy of an Empire, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Paris 2025, pp. 122-123, cat. 53;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in the David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat. 519;
Joachim Meyer, Rasmus Bech Olsen and Peter Wandel: Beyond Words. Calligraphy from the World of Islam, Davids Samling, Copenhagen 2024, pp. 276-277, cat. 108;
Carine Juvin (ed.): Mamlouks: 1250-1517, Musée du Louvre, Paris 2025, fig. 107, p. 150 and p. 343, cat. 107;
Carine Juvin (ed.): Mamluks. Legacy of an Empire, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Paris 2025, pp. 122-123, cat. 53;
