Folio from an Automata by al-Jazari (d.1206); recto: illustration: Container for dispensing wine; verso: text

Detached folio from the Kitab fi ma’arifat al-hiyal al-handasiya (The book of knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices, known as the “Automata”) by al-Jazari; text: Arabic in black naskhi script; recto: illustration and text, Container for dispensing wine, 8 lines; verso: text, A container constructed to dispense a combination of four different wines, one column, 21 lines; one of a group of eight folios.

Maker(s)
Calligrapher: Farruq ibn Abd al-Latif
Author: al-Jazari
Historical period(s)
Mamluk Period, December 1315 (Ramadan 715 A.H.)
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 30.1 x 21.9 cm (11 7/8 x 8 5/8 in)
Geography
Probably Syria
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1930.72
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript folio

Keywords
automata, cow, Mamluk period (1250 - 1517), Syria, wine
Provenance

To 1930
Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York to 1930 [1]

From 1930
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1930 [2]

Notes:

[1] Object file, undated folder sheet note. See also Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Hagop Kevorkian 1872-1962

Description

Detached folio from the Kitab fi ma'arifat al-hiyal al-handasiya (The book of knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices, known as the "Automata") by al-Jazari; text: Arabic in black naskhi script; recto: illustration and text, Container for dispensing wine, 8 lines; verso: text, A container constructed to dispense a combination of four different wines, one column, 21 lines; one of a group of eight folios.

Published References
  • Shane McCausland. The Mongol Century: Visual Cultures of Yuan China, 1271-1368. London. .
  • Anna Contadini. The Kitab Manafi 'al Hayawan in the Escorial Library. no. 3. p. 43.
  • Dr. Esin Atil. Art of the Arab World. Exh. cat. Washington, 1975. cat. 48, p. 107.
  • The Book of Ingenious Devices [Kitab al-hiyal]. Dordrecht, Holland and Boston. p. 221, pl. 15.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use

Related Objects