Basin with Zodiac signs and royal titles
Late 13th–early 14th century, Egypt or Syria, Brass; engraved and inlaid with silver and black compound. Dimensions: Height 4/1/2 in. (11.4 cm) Diameter 12 ¾ in. (32.4 cm), Accession Number 91.1.553. Currently on display in Gallery 453 of The Metropolitan Museum.
This brass bowl depicts the symbols of the twelve zodiac signs in the outer circle in the base of the bowl, starting from the top right and reading clockwise with Leo, followed by Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and finally Cancer completing the circle at the top left. Each zodiac sign is shown in its own individual circle with the image associated with each sign in the center. Towards the outside of this ring there is a strip of a repetitive pattern which frames the outer base of the bowl. Moving towards the center, the inner circle depicts six out of the seven planets known to early Muslim and medieval cosmology, surrounding the Sun (zuhal), itself considered one out of the seven planets, which are as follows – the Moon (al-qamar), Mercury (‘utārid), Venus (al-zuhara), the Sun (al-shams), Mars (al-mirrĩkh), Jupiter (al-mushtarĩ), and Saturn (zuhal). These planets are shown through figural representations in association with each planet. In the very center of the bowl is a depiction of the sun. Filled in between the outer circle of zodiac signs and inner circle of planets is an engraved repetitive vegetal design with strapwork, though all of the decoration at the bottom of the bowl appear to be carved at the same depth. The bowl appears to generally have radial symmetry, but given the nature of the design that each zodiac symbol is different, but structurally the design is symmetrical.
Moving to the inner wall of the bowl, there is an inscription in thuluth script partially inlaid in silver which translates to, “Happiness, abundance, felicity, honor, glory, permanent prosperity, eternal memory for the illustrious lord.” This script is ambiguous in that from afar, given its calligraphic nature, and appears to be merely another organic design inlaid along the inner wall. The inner strip up the upper rim of the bowl continues a similar vegetal design as the bottom of the bowl, but instead inlaid with silver. The final outer strip framing the bowl contains a series of small overlapping circles.
The artwork is damaged with ten holes throughout, two on the rim, four on the outside of the base and four surrounding the central sun, which can be assumed were used to mount it in the past.
Works Cited
Carboni, Stefano. Following the Stars: Images of the Zodiac in Islamic Art. New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1997.
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