-Master metal craftsman Mohammed ibn al-Zain created this brass basin during the Bahri Mamluk reign
--Signed by the artist 6 times -Hunting scenes alternate with battle scenes along the side of the bowl -Mamluk hunters and Mongol enemies. -Bottom of bowl decorated with fish, eels. Crabs, frogs, and crocodiles -There is no patron or date identifying the work, although some scholars feel the basin is connected to the amir Salar, whose image may be prominently depicted on one of the roundels; in that regard, it may have been a gift from Salar to the sultan.
-Original use: ceremonial hand washing; perhaps a banqueting piece -Later use: baptisms for the French royal family; coats-orf-arms originally on the work were reworked with French fleur-de-lys
Context
- -Exquisite craftsmanship makes it likely that the work was done on commission for an important setting