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Tray Portraying Courtly Pleasures

1240s
(1171–1260)
sheet brass inlaid with silver
Diameter: 53.8 cm (21 3/16 in.); Overall: 5.8 cm (2 5/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1945.386
Location: 116 Islamic
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Description

This tray features images of courtly life interspersed with astronomical symbols. The scenes contained within large multilobed medallions display an enthroned prince with lions at his feet, a banquet, a hunt, dancers, and musicians. Contained within the concentric circles there are also references to solar and lunar motifs, including figures holding sunbursts and lunar crescents. This tray is made of a single sheet of brass and the silver inlay, which is best preserved on the tray’s inner curve, suggests its original brilliance.
Tray Portraying Courtly Pleasures

Tray Portraying Courtly Pleasures

1240s

Syria, Ayyubid period (1171–1260)

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