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Jug
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
This jug is one of the rare surviving Islamic vessels made entirely of precious metal. Its inscription bands contain Arabic poetry that translates, in part: "You are the image of the full moon at night, the first gleam of sun on the horizon of the morning. You are a sword in the times of war, a beneficent rain in times of peace . . . your sword cuts the necks of Buyid enemies in great quantities . . . Glory and prosperity to the just king Samsam al-Dawla . . . May God lengthen your reign!"
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineJug, late 900s. Iran or Iraq, Baghdad, Buyid Period, reign of Samsam al-Dawla (985-998 AD). Gold with repoussé and chased and engraved decoration; overall: 12.5 x 10.2 cm (4 15/16 x 4 in.); diameter of base: 7 cm (2 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1966.22
