Museum of Islamic Art - photos
Photos and information of a selection of exhibits shown at the Museum of Islamic Art, located in the Pergamon Museum on the Berlin Museum Island.
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11th century, Sicily
Box with desk-shaped lid made of carved ivory plates. Later added silver fittings connect lid and box.
Height: 17 cm, width: 39,5 cm, depth: 22,8 cm
Decoration of medallions with figurative depictions, including fighting and hunting scenes, is covered by bands of half-palm vines along the edges. The animals are partly stylized, partly naturalistically represented: lions, hares, ibexes, deer, camels, giraffes and birds. There are also human figures of a hunter and a camel leader. Birds and vegetal motifs are placed between the medallions. On the upper side of the lid there is a wave tendril motif that winds between four successive animals. Several drilled holes were probably used to attach metal fittings.
In the background:
Olifant - slightly curved ivory horn. More on the next page.
© Photos: Haupt & Binder
Photos and information of a selection of exhibits shown at the Museum of Islamic Art, located in the Pergamon Museum on the Berlin Museum Island.