PERIOD: | 21 Century |
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ORIGIN: | Museum of Islamic Art Qatar |
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DIMENSIONS: | 7x .5 cm |
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DESCRIPTION: | An exquisite rectangular shape with a coffered lid, the body and lid all decorated with panels chest and Islamic stars shape on stands on four feet, covered in `mudéjar` taste with Arabic geometric patterning and the Nasrid motto, underneath stamped: Pyramid symbol Spain. |
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Footnotes: | For a similar casket, see James D. Lanvin, The Art and Tradition of the Zuloagas, Spanish Damascene from the Khalili Collection, Oxford, 1997. |
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Historical Background The Nasrids: | The Nasrid Dynasty, which was founded by Muhammad I al-Ghalib of Arjona (r.1232-73), ruled Granada and the territory of al-Andalus for over two hundred years and oversaw a splendid artistic patronage that is still hugely admired today. Expanding on a tradition inherited from the Almohad dynasty of North Africa, the Nasrids developed a sophisticated visual language based on complex geometric designs, and are particularly known for their architectural achievements as well as the overglaze lustre technique of decorating ceramics, which was exported from Spain throughout Europe. Their accomplishments in the arts of metalwork are less well-known due to the paucity of surviving examples. This exquisite casket helps to shed light on the elusive history of this tradition which upon close inspection proves rich and significant. |
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PROVENANCE: | Museum of Qatar |
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CERTIFICATE: | Comes with a certificate from the Art Loss Register |
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