Ewer, cast bronze

There is something modernistic about the shape of this simple, monumental ewer. The body, neck, and straight spout are undecorated, and the usual palmettes at the rim that are found on so many other types of ewers are simplified. The same is true of the handle’s sculpturally conceived leaf motif, which brings to mind a stylized fleur-de-lis. Only the distinctive knob and the three feet have a few horizontal bands as decorations. The bands on the feet help indicate the hoof-like character that is known from other Islamic metal pieces.

Ewers of this type are customarily attributed to Egypt, and two have been excavated within the borders of the Tulunid realm, in Egypt and Lebanon.