Aquamanile in the Form of an Eagle
Master Suleiman
180 AH/796-797
Bronze, silver, copper
H 38 cm, l 45 cm
This vessel in the shape of a bird of prey was used for
water and originally had a handle on the top. The whole of
its surface was richly decorated and some of the silver and
copper inlay has been preserved.
An Arabic inscription on the neck reads ‘in the name of
God the Merciful the Compassionate, Blessings/from/God';
it also contains the name of the craftsman, Master
Suleiman, and the date, 180 AH. This is the oldest known
precisely dated Iranian bronze object.
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