The Elephant Clock: Leaf from The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari, Detached folio from an illustrated manuscript, 715 A.H. / 1315 A.D.; Mamluk Abu al-‘Izz Isma^cil al-Jazari, Author; Fakrh ibn ^cAbd al-Latif, Copyist
Probably Syria
Ink, colors, and gold on paper; H. 11 13/16 in. (30 cm), W. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Cora Timken Burnett Collection of Persian Miniatures and Other Persian Art Objects, Bequest of Cora Timken Burnett, 1956 (57.51.23)

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Most of the time ordinary Muslims, Christians, and Jews in this region went about their daily business in relative peace. Both profited from the East-West trade in silks and spices. Mamluk decorative arts—especially enameled and gilded glass, inlaid metalwork, woodwork, and textiles—were prized around the Mediterranean and in Europe.