mid-13th century
Iran
Object qualities
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Objectinterior decoration: Casket
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumBrass; worked metal sheet inlaid with silver
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SizeH. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm) W. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)
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Geography detailsAttributed to
Iran -
Country today
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Datemid-13th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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The walls of this casket bear seated figures and musicians with coursing animals on the borders. Most of the silver inlay that once provided contrast to the forms has been lost, as craftsmen working in the mid-thirteenth century did not prepare metal sheets to receive precious metal, but simply incised outlines around the areas to be inlaid. The pseudo-calligraphy along the chamfered portion of the lid of this casket is purely decorative.