Basin (Baptistère de St. Louis)
Basin (Baptistère de St. Louis). Muhammad ibn al-Zain. c. 1320–1340 C.E. Brass inlaid with gold and silver.
- used to baptize the children of the royal family of france
- not originally a french family; of Egypt and Syria
- created by Mamluk artisans; extraordinary craftsmen
- known for their textile and metal work; premier example
- filled with figures and animals; decorative patternings
- abstract pattern of sea animals on the basin; silver, gold, and black paste; eels
- continuous band of animals that parade around the inner wall
- frieze of men on horseback; decapitated head
- figures outside the bowl; men, soldiers in armor; each individual
- fleur de ils; symbol of the royal family
- islamic inscriptions absent; made for export; non-islamic
- animals line the basin: leopard, camel, antelope running, jumping; movement
- arabic signature; signed six times; ibn al-Zain