Iraq, possibly Mosul, Zangid or Artugid Period, 13th Century / 1223
Luxury Ewer Extending Good Fortune to the Owner
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Luxury Ewer Extending Good Fortune to the Owner as metalwork (Iraq, possibly Mosul, Zangid or Artugid Period, 13th Century · 1223).
Later owners roughly scratched their names into the neck of the ewer.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as brass inlaid with silver; lid and base added later and credits Ahmad al-Dhaki al-Mawsili (Iraqi, Mosul, active early 1200s?).
The museum's collection notes: This silver inlaid ewer was produced for luxury clientele. The wide band around the body of the vessel displays vignettes of daily and courtly life contained within multilobed medallions. Some of the scenes feature falconry, hunting, dancing, and several groups of musicians. All these scenes are set off against a skillfully executed arabesque background—a pervasive motif in Islamic art characterized by interwoven vegetal and curvilinear elements. An inscription around the ewer’s shoulder extends good fortune, prosperity, and peace to the owner. The ewer is dated 1223 and signed by the master craftsman Ahmad al-Dhaki of Mosul.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtLuxury Ewer Extending Good Fortune to the OwnerOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.