Object Details
Description
Canteen; a pit in one side and a strainer inside the neck; handles probably later additions (Brass). Decoration executed in silver inlay, with details engraved; the designs of both Christian and Islamic origin. Inscriptions written in Kufic and in naskhi scripts.
Inscriptions
Inscriptions written in Kufic and in naskhi scripts.
Label
This large, impressive canteen, the only known example of its kind from the Islamic world, recalls the shape of ceramic pilgrim flasks. Its inlaid silver decoration combines calligraphy and decorative motifs, such as intricate geometric designs, and lively animal scrolls, with Christian imagery. These include a representation of the Virgin and Child in the center, surrounded by narrative scenes from the life of Christ as well as saints and knights. It has been suggested that the canteen may have been commissioned by a wealthy Christian, perhaps, as a special memento of his travels.
Provenance
To 1845
Prince Filippo Andrea Doria, Italy to 1845 [1]
To at least 1934
George A. Eumorfopoulos (1863-1939), London [2]
To 1941
Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York [3]
From 1941
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1941 [4]
Notes:
[1] See M. Lanci, Trattato delle Simboliche Rappresentanze Arabiche, vol. II, pp. 141-3145 and vol. III, pls. XLV-XLVI, Nos. A, B, and 1-2. Also refer to Curatorial Remark 4 in the object record.
[2] According to Dimand, M., "A Silver Inlaid Bronze Canteen with Christian Subjects in the Eumorfopoulos Collection," Ars Islamica, vol. 1, no. 1 (1934), pp. 16-21. As of the publication of this article by M. S. Dimand, the canteen was still in the George Eumorfopoulos Collection.
[3] Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record. For additional information, see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.
[4] See note 3.
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History
Engaging the Senses (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)
Crosscurrents in Chinese and Islamic Ceramics (March 1, 1996 to July 1, 1997)
America Meets Asia at the Freer Gallery of Art (May 9, 1993 to April 18, 1998)
Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art (September 27, 1985 to November 17, 1986)
Christian Themes in Thirteenth-Century Islamic Metalwork (December 18, 1984 to September 3, 1985)
Art of the Near East (August 21, 1977 to December 14, 1979)
Art of the Arab World (May 8, 1975 to August 20, 1977)
Near Eastern Art (June 15, 1973 to May 7, 1975)
Untitled Exhibition, Canteens, South Corridor (June 19, 1971 to September 25, 1971)
Near Eastern Art—Paintings, Metalwork (August 18, 1967 to February 10, 1972)
Near Eastern Art (June 5, 1964 to August 18, 1967)
Near Eastern Art (January 1, 1963 to August 18, 1967)
Islamic Art, Gallery 6A (July 22, 1958 to June 5, 1964)
Centennial Exhibition, South Corridor (February 25, 1956 to October 27, 1959)
Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 6 and 7 (February 25, 1956 to April 10, 1962)
Special Exhibition, Armenian Manuscripts and East Christian Art (February 15, 1955 to April 13, 1955)
Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, 1955 (April 12, 1955 to December 16, 1955)
Special Exhibition (February 9, 1954 to April 20, 1954)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Near Eastern Art, 1947 (June 18, 1947 to October 26, 1955)
Untitled Exhibition, Armenian Manuscripts, Gallery 6, 1947 (April 23 to October 3, 1947)
Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Arts, 1947 (October 6, 1947 to February 25, 1956)
Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, 1947 (October 6, 1947 to February 25, 1956)
Untitled Exhibition, Persian and Near Eastern Art (May 5, 1933 to September 24, 1947)
Previous custodian or owner
Prince Filippo Andrea Doria
George Aristedes Eumorfopoulos (1863-1939)
Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962)
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Date
mid-13th century
Period
Ayyubid period
Accession Number
F1941.10
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Vessel
Medium
Brass, silver inlay
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 45.2 x 36.7 cm (17 13/16 x 14 7/16 in)
Origin
Syria or Northern Iraq
On View
West Building (Freer Gallery of Art), Gallery 04: Engaging the Senses
Related Online Resources
Google Arts & Culture
See more items in
National Museum of Asian Art
Data Source
National Museum of Asian Art
Topic
chasing
hammering
spinning (metalworking)
inlay (process)
metal
brass (alloy)
Christianity
birth
Ayyubid period (1171 - 1250)
Jesus Christ
child
Virgin Mary
kufic script
naskh script
washing
Syria
Iraq
halo
Arts of the Islamic World
Link to Original Record
Record ID
fsg_F1941.10