Collection
/
Arts of the Islamic World

Jug (Mashraba) with Human-Headed Inscription and Zodiac Signs

late 12th–early 13th century

1 of 4

Object Label

The Arabic inscription around the neck of this jug is written in a naskh script that terminates in human heads and reads, “Glory, success, dominion, safety, happiness, care, and long life to the owner.” The inscription on the foot reads, “Glory, success, dominion, happiness, safety, intercession, and long life to the owner.”

Caption

Jug (Mashraba) with Human-Headed Inscription and Zodiac Signs, late 12th–early 13th century. Copper alloy, engraved, inlaid and overlaid with silver, height: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm) diameter: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.123. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Title

Jug (Mashraba) with Human-Headed Inscription and Zodiac Signs

Date

late 12th–early 13th century

Geography

Place made: Khurasan, Iran

Medium

Copper alloy, engraved, inlaid and overlaid with silver

Classification

Vessel

Dimensions

height: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm) diameter: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)

Inscriptions

The top panel encircling the neck of the jug consists of a band of inscription in Arabic in human-headed naskhi script that reads: "Glory, success, dominion, safety, happiness, care, and long life to the owner." The register on the foot of the jug consists of another band of human-headed Arabic naskhi that reads: "Glory, success, happiness, safety, intercession, and long life to the owner." The tips of the vertical letters end in human heads, whereas the descending letters end in legs and feet.

Credit Line

Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.

Accession Number

86.227.123

Have information?

Have information about an artwork? Contact us at

bkmcollections@brooklynmuseum.org.