Bowl
Afghanistan
12th–13th century, Ghaznavid
High tin bronze, cast, hammered, chased, punched, and engraved;
H. 7 1/6 in. (18 cm), Diam. 1 9/16 in. (4 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art and Rogers Fund, 2000 (2000.57)

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The time of Marco’s visit—probably the late 1270s—coincided with a period of intense rivalry between Qaidu (d. 1301), a descendant of Ögödei and ruler of lands east of Mongolia; the heirs of Chaghadai; and Khubilai Khan in China. In his memoirs, Marco Polo noted the devastation some cities suffered from repeated invasions by Mongol forces.