Copper-inlaid Bronze Basin with Kufic Inscriptions and Geometric Designs

A large Khorasan copper-inlaid bronze basin, 12th/13th century,…
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A large Khorasan copper-inlaid bronze basin, 12th/13th century, with copper inlays within an eight-petalled flower to the centre surrounded by six crescent moons, Kufic inscriptions within geometric, foliate and animal designs, the rim engraved with a wide band of decorative kufic script. 14.5 cm high, 53 cm diameter

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  • Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
  • Kufic Script - Kufic script is an Arabic script that was first developed in the city of Kufa, Iraq in the 7th century. It is one of the oldest forms of Arabic calligraphy and is characterized by its angular, geometric shapes and its lack of diacritical marks, such as vowel signs.

    Kufic script was widely used for writing religious texts, including the Quran, and was also used for inscriptions on public buildings and monuments throughout the Islamic world. Its simple, bold design made it easy to read from a distance, and its geometric patterns and shapes were seen as a reflection of the order and harmony of the universe.

    Kufic script is still used in Islamic calligraphy and design, and it remains an important part of Islamic art and culture. Its bold, geometric design has also influenced modern graphic design and typography.
  • Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

    The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

    It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.

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