AN EXCEPTIONAL MOSUL COMBINATION-LOCK BRASS BOX INSCRIBED BY; MUHAMMAD IBN KHUTLUKH AL-MAWSILI,
PERIOD :
13TH CENTURY
ORIGIN:
NORTHERN MESOPOTAMIA,Levant”Al-Jazari’s
DIMENSIONS:
C
DESCRIPTION:
This magnificent piece of a rectangular shape with a hinged encircled disguise and bracket paws,the applied hinges and clasp with an extraordinary and delicate elaborate handmade composition of details on the openwork terminals on the veneer the knop equivalent, the sides with large figural roundels flanked by diminutive key-pattern roundels, some also with cusped minor figural quatrefoils, on a ground of intricate scrolling leafy vine, a band of stylised dwelled kufic benedictory inscriptions above, comprising on the lid with the four dials pointers brooch belly almond shape that presently inactive combinations, flanking the central openwork arabesque interlace knop, encompassed by royal courtyard festive season scenes again on a scrolling foliate ground, the sloping sides with a variety of musicians and drinkers divided by key-pattern hexagons, a band of flowing naskh inscription on vine ground below, this band between the fron clasp hinges granting the name of the maker, the feet with a seated lion on each face, surface slightly rubbed, and imbalanced missing except under the clasp, chisel marks remaining, the base plate probably replaced, the feet re-fixed at the same time,Inscription translation the work of Muhammad ibn Khutlukh al-Mawsili in the year 639.
IMPORTANT NOTE;
We have been instructed by our client who retains and approves of our collections have convey very vigorously “NOT” to publicise the additional pictures due rarity of this respective museum (Object) and potential copyright and to deter propagating to a parallel forgery from the provided images on our website. The conservation of these extraordinary and infrequent museum pieces is within the integral and privileged part of our clients’ requirements.
FOOTNOTES:
The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices
The book to life and to meet, through ebook, the author, al Jazari, court engineer in Diyarbakir in the 13th century.
CONDITION REPORT:
Adequate condition, some scratches along the edges, and numerous areas are coated with a delicate layer of colures dyed possibly corresponding to minor retouches, and insignificant cracks along the surface, as viewed.
PROVENANCE:
Ex- Private collections by inheritance.
