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Qatar Museums, Museum of Islamic Art. Photo: Samar Kassab Terms and Conditions

Marvered Glass Inkwell

Museum of Islamic Art

Currently on view at Museum of Islamic Art
Title:
Marvered Glass Inkwell
Production place:
Egypt
Date:
1200 - 1299
Period:
Ayyubid
Material:
Glass
Technique:
Trailing, Marvering, Glassblowing
Dimensions:
6.9 cm
Diameter:
7.0 cm

Marvered glass became very popular in Egypt and Syria during the Ayyubid and Mamluk period. It is easy to identify by its patterned decoration and colouration, which usually includes white or pale-coloured trails marvered into a dark matrix. The technique of marvering was practiced in antiquity and revived especially during the late 6th until the 8th century AH/late 12th until the 14th century CE.
This marvered glass inkwell is of squat cylindrical form. It has a top with a narrow circular aperture housing a domed cover with a knop finial. Marvered inkwells were quite unusual; the technique was rather common on marvered wares such as bowls, beakers and sprinklers.

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