This jug (ʾidrah) is a striking union of function and artistry, crafted in copper and crowned with a robust brass handle. Its reddish surface, enriched by the patina of age, glows with warmth and dignity. The full, rounded body narrows gracefully at the neck, creating a silhouette that conveys both strength and refinement.
Calligraphic Inscriptions
Encircling the body are bold inscriptions in tall interlaced script, invoking praise and blessing for the Sultan:
Arabic:
"العز للقائد المحارب المجاهد المؤيد سلطان نجم الدين"
Transliteration:
al-ʿizz li-l-qāʾid al-muḥārib al-mujāhid al-muʾayyad sulṭān Najm al-Dīn.
Translation:
“Glory to the commander, the warrior, the struggler in faith, the supported one, Sultan Najm al-Dīn.”
The calligraphy is seamlessly woven into dense vegetal scrolls, binding the word of praise with the language of ornament.
Artistic Details
- Rounded Body: The vessel swells in a full, rounded form, narrowing elegantly at the neck to balance weight and grace.
- Engraved Fields: The broad surfaces are engraved with interlaced calligraphy and scrolling foliage, creating a continuous rhythm of movement.
- Circular Medallions: Script-filled medallions punctuate the design, offering moments of stillness amid the ornament.
- Brass Handle: A strong, curved brass handle crowns the vessel, its golden hue contrasting with the darker copper body.
- Surface Patina: Natural verdigris collects in the engraved lines, deepening texture and accentuating the passage of time.
- Symbolic Imagery: The unbroken knots of foliage suggest continuity and resilience, while the inscriptions proclaim the eternal power of the word.
Interpretation
This jug was more than utilitarian; it is a narrative vessel, carrying artistry, devotion, and history upon its surface. Its Fatimid-style calligraphy and ornament proclaim both sovereignty and faith, while the warm tones of copper and brass elevate it into a ceremonial object. It embodies the Fatimid ethos of blending function, beauty, and meaning into a single crafted form.
