Bath Box
The technique of marquetry and inlaying of wood with contrasting material has always enjoyed great popularity in Egypt, going back to Pharaonic times. Fine examples of Islamic work in the technique date from the ninth century onward. The right-angle linear interlace that surrounds the main panels of decoration, as well as the motifs that fill the elongated cartouche-shaped panel on the front and the lozenge-shaped panel on the top, descend directly—and with little change—from such decoration to be found on ninth-century Egyptian marquetry. The so-called star of David motifs, as well as the patterns of stars and hexagons that fill the larger ones, derive from Roman art, especially floor mosaics, and were especially popular in marquetry and woodwork of the Islamic period. Less distant echoes of decoration in other media are the outside borders of alternating hexagons and elongated hexagons, which ultimately derive from Seljuq architectural ornament and enjoyed popularity as borders for a variety of media, including bookbindings and carpets. Despite the profusion of old motifs present on this box, the background, with its flowering sprays, particularly the tulip blossoms, gives a sure indication of its Ottoman date.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bath Box
- Date: 17th–18th century
- Geography: Attributed to Syria or Egypt, Damascus
- Medium: Wood; inlaid with bone and colored-wood, and lathe-turned feet
- Dimensions: H. 16 15/16 in. (43 cm)
W. 30 11/16 in. (78 cm)
D. 16 9/16 in. (42 cm) - Classification: Wood
- Credit Line: Gift of Lily S. Place, 1921
- Object Number: 21.114.15
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
17th century
early to mid-17th century
Haji Muhammad
late 17th–early 18th century
18th century
17th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.