Brass Jug

This finely executed brass jug is of a very particular shape: it has a flat base, a globular body and is prolonged by a cylindrical neck with a slightly flared opening and a dragon handle on one side. The jug is decorated with cartouches containing Arabic inscriptions surrounded by a complex foliate scroll pattern inlaid in gold and silver. One of the inscriptions mentions the artist, Husayn ibn Mubarah Shah, and the year 889 AH (1484-1485 CE). Jugs of this type were extremely common in Iran and Central Asia during the 9th century AH/15th century CE and were probably produced in Herat, an important artistic and literary centre during the Timurid period (8th century to10th century AH/14th to 16th century CE). As depicted in illustrations of Timurid manuscripts, drinking vessels or dragon-handled jugs of metal, jade, porcelain and pottery were often used in banquets at the Timurid court.