Perfume Sprinkler [Qumqum] with Birds

first half 14th century

Not on view

This perfume sprinkler or qumqum is of a characteristic type with an oblong body and a thin elongated neck, wide above the body and then tapering towards the lip, with enameled and gilded decoration. Although the decoration has faded over time, elements can still be made out. The red outline used throughout the design to create bands of decoration and roundels is the most complete survivor of the original design. Two medallions depicting a bird, once gilded, on a blue background, are drawn on the shoulder. Some remnants of yellow and green enameling and gilding can also be seen in various parts of the body.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Perfume Sprinkler [Qumqum] with Birds
Date: first half 14th century
Geography: Attributed to Egypt or Syria
Medium: Glass; blown, enameled, and gilded
Dimensions: H. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
Max. Diam. 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm)
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906
Object Number: 06.1036.2
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Long-Necked Bottle, Glass, colorless with green tinge; blown, blown applied foot, applied decoration, enameled, and gilded — Long-Necked Bottle
first half 14th century

Enameled and Gilded Bottle, Glass, greenish; blown, folded foot; enameled and gilded — Enameled and Gilded Bottle
late 13th century

Bowl, Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque white glaze — Bowl
late 11th–early 12th century

Gilded Green Bottle, Glass, green; mold blown, gilded, and silvered — Gilded Green Bottle
18th century

Basin with Zodiac Signs and Royal Titles, Brass; engraved and inlaid with silver and black compound — Basin with Zodiac Signs and Royal Titles
late 13th–early 14th 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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.