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Footed Bowl with Eagle Emblem

mid-13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454
Vessels of this characteristic shape, a rounded bowl with a pronounced, tall foot, were sometimes called tazze and were thought to evoke Christian chalices. They became popular in the Islamic eastern Mediterranean during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, a period of active exchange between the Islamic and Christian worlds. This piece is among the earliest known examples of enameled glass. Its ornament and iconography is part of the "courtly cycle" referring to the lifestyle of the rulers and elites of medieval Islamic societies from Egypt to Anatolia.



The design features four circular medallions with a bird of prey. While no particular ruler or officer can be associated with the emblem, such birds of prey were common symbols of power, kingship, and to a certain extent, protection in both Muslim and Christian contexts. Flanking the inscription band and on the foot, rows of dogs chasing hares evoke the hunt, while a frieze of seated musicians and feasting figures replaces part of the inscription. Both the hunt and the feast pertain to the courtly cycle and evoke ideals of kingship.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Footed Bowl with Eagle Emblem
  • Date: mid-13th century
  • Geography: Attributed to probably Syria
  • Medium: Glass; dip-molded, blown, enameled, and gilded
  • Dimensions: H. 7 3/16 in. (18.3 cm)
    Max. Diam. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
    Diam. of Base: 5 in. (12.7 cm)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.1538
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Footed Bowl with Marvered Decoration in White and Turquoise, Glass; blown, marvered, tooled, worked on the pontil
Footed Bowl with Marvered Decoration in White and Turquoise
12th–14th century
Perfume Sprinkler (Qumqum), Glass, blue; blown, enameled, and gilded
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early 13th century
Vase with Handles, Glass, colorless with brown tinge; blown, folded foot, applied handles, enameled and gilded
Vase with Handles
second half 14th century
Plate, Glass; free blown, enameled and gilded; tooled on the pontil
Plate
ca. 1350–1357
Perfume Sprinkler [Qumqum] with Birds, Glass; blown, enameled, and gilded
Perfume Sprinkler [Qumqum] with Birds
first half 14th century

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