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Box with cover

15th century
Not on view
Round bottom boxes with lids are rare in Islamic metalwork but curiously common in the oeuvres of Mahmud al-Kurdi and Zain al-Din. The original function of this elegant little box is unknown. Sweetmeats may have been served in it, but the similarity in its size and capacity to other boxes lends support to the idea that it was used to transport pre-packed speziere minute or sottili (valuable spices exported in small quantities to Europe).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Box with cover
  • Date: 15th century
  • Culture: possibly Egyptian
  • Medium: Brass, inlaid with silver and niello (?)
  • Dimensions: 3 × 4 1/2 in. (7.6 × 11.4 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Brass
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1923
  • Object Number: 23.67.5a, b
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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