During the Seljuk period, the arts were
encouraged not only by the sultans but also by
orders placed by emirs, and the members of
wealthy merchant families. Cast bronze vessels
intended for everyday use were manufactured
and decorated with engraving, reliefs, and
openwork.
This ewer is principally decorated with Kufic
inscriptions, all benedictory – on the body, the
shoulders and the neck. The object has a fluted
cylindrical body and a flaring foot. The neck
bears two embossed sitting pop-eyed lions with their right
forepaws raised.
This ewer is a magnificent example of group of
beaten brass objects, inlaid with silver and
sometimes with copper. It was probably
designed to contain water.
The Seljuk period was undoubtedly one of the
most intensively creative periods in the history of
the Islamic world. It displayed splendid
achievements in every artistic fields with subtle
differences from one region to the next.
