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Garden Fountain

early 17th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 463
Some of the forms on this fountain, such as its hourglass shape and the lion mask (kirttimukha) on its spout, can be traced to Hindu sources, but their combination with a strong architectural profile and articulated ribs places its production at one of the Muslim courts of the Deccan. The fountain was formed from seven separately cast parts soldered together in a fashion reminiscent of contemporary cannon construction. Water would have been forced up through the pipe that projects from the base of the fountain, and would have trickled down the outside from the circular well at the top.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Garden Fountain
  • Date: early 17th century
  • Geography: Made in India, Deccan
  • Medium: Brass; cast in sections, joined and engraved
  • Dimensions: H. 38 7/16 in. (97.7 cm)
    W. 26 5/8 in. (67.6 cm)
    L. 36 11/16 in. (93.2 cm)
    Wt. 223 lbs. (101.2 cm)
  • Classification: Metal
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1997
  • Object Number: 1997.150
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Audio

Cover Image for 6785. Garden Fountain

6785. Garden Fountain

Hear a recitation of Nami Danam Chi Manzil by Amir Khusrau

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ZEYBA RAHMAN: Gardens were very important as social meeting places in the cultured Mughal world. This fountain in front of you once stood in an ordered, luscious garden, replete with the lovely sound of flowing water. Sufi music and poetry with its focus on praises for Divine love had become a part of all important occasions, to heighten the experience of being in a beautiful garden. Listen to the poetry of the great Sufi poet and musical genius Amir Khusrau with its blend of Persian and Indian musical traditions. Here, Pakistan’s Farid Ayaz Qawwal sing Amir Khusrau’s "Nami Danam Chi Manzil"

Music: "Nami Danam Chi Manzil"

    Listen to more about this artwork

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