This magnificent brass charger, richly inlaid with silver and gold, is a triumph of Mamluk artistry where martial imagery and sacred calligraphy are united in a single ceremonial object. Its surface embodies both the vigor of the battlefield and the refinement of courtly piety, making it a statement of prestige and authority.
Calligraphic Inscriptions
A continuous cycle of Mamluk-style Thuluth calligraphy encircles the central figure, proclaiming praise and blessing for the Sultan:
Arabic:
"العز لمولانا السلطان القائد المرابط المؤيد المجاهد الإمام المظفر المحارب المغوار السلطان محمد بن قلاوون"
Transliteration:
al-ʿizz li-mawlānā al-sulṭān al-qāʾid al-murābiṭ al-muʾayyad al-mujāhid al-imām al-muẓaffar al-muḥārib al-mighwār al-sulṭān Muḥammad ibn Qalāwūn.
Translation:
“Glory to our lord, the Sultan, the commander, the steadfast defender, the supported one, the warrior in faith, the victorious imam, the valiant fighter, the conqueror, Sultan Muḥammad ibn Qalāwūn.”
The script radiates outward like rays of divine light, reinforcing the heroic presence of the Sultan at the center.
Artistic Details
- Central Medallion: A powerful mounted warrior, identified as Sultan Muḥammad ibn Qalāwūn, rides a finely adorned steed. The horse’s trappings are richly decorated, while the Sultan raises his weapon in triumph, a symbol of courage, guardianship, and divine protection.
- Radiating Calligraphy: The surrounding border of calligraphy forms a halo of blessings, binding martial power with sacred text.
- Geometric & Vegetal Bands: The wide outer rim is filled with intricate geometric knots and arabesque scrolls, balancing strength with elegance.
- Inlay Work: Silver and gold inlays highlight details of horse, rider, and inscriptions, enhancing contrast against the darkened brass surface.
- Stylistic Harmony: The composition embodies the dual ideals of the Mamluk court, the sword and the pen, power and faith.
Interpretation
This charger would have been displayed in a noble or courtly setting, projecting both prestige and piety. The mounted figure of the Sultan anchors the piece in martial triumph, while the radiating Qur’anic and honorific inscriptions proclaim divine blessing and legitimacy. It is at once a commemoration of conquest and a devotional object, a masterpiece of Mamluk ceremonial artistry.
