Visual Analysis Assignment
The Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi
Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali, is an Iranian bronze; cast, engraved, chased, pierced
Overall. H. 33 1/2 in. (85.1 cm) L. 32 1/2 in. (82.6 cm) W. 9 in, currently present in the Islamic Art section, in the Iranian area on a two foot high platform, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The item was made for a Prince Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, it is both decorative and functional as an incense burner. The item represents Zoomorphic incense burner, which was popular during the Seljuq period. This lion-shaped example is exceptional for its monumental scale, the refinement of its engraved ornament, and the wealth of information provided by the Arabic calligraphic bands inscribed on its body.1 The lion-shaped item stands upright in an almost bowing position, with both ears pointed upward and tongue sticking out slightly in front of the teeth. The burner seems to be in good condition. The item shows wear and tear over the years due to its use. Most of damage appears to be caused by hot ash from the coals that were probably used to heat the incense rocks. As well as, chipped portions of the left and right posterior sides of the perforated neck, covered in intricate patterns, to allow smoke to emit out of the head of the lion. Bluish-green spots and patches are present all over the item, which was probably due to water damage from extinguishing the hot coals. The technique the artist used to construct and design the item relied heavily on symmetry. From the start of the back of the neck down to the start of the tail, a long undecorated line interrupted by a horizontal band of inscriptions around the neck appears to divide the sculpture medially. The simple shapes of the head a sphere with two rectangular ears atop it and a cone like neck below. Including a cylindrical body and legs. The artist’s etching of the lion’s face and body, as well as the three
Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali, is an Iranian bronze; cast, engraved, chased, pierced
Overall. H. 33 1/2 in. (85.1 cm) L. 32 1/2 in. (82.6 cm) W. 9 in, currently present in the Islamic Art section, in the Iranian area on a two foot high platform, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The item was made for a Prince Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, it is both decorative and functional as an incense burner. The item represents Zoomorphic incense burner, which was popular during the Seljuq period. This lion-shaped example is exceptional for its monumental scale, the refinement of its engraved ornament, and the wealth of information provided by the Arabic calligraphic bands inscribed on its body.1 The lion-shaped item stands upright in an almost bowing position, with both ears pointed upward and tongue sticking out slightly in front of the teeth. The burner seems to be in good condition. The item shows wear and tear over the years due to its use. Most of damage appears to be caused by hot ash from the coals that were probably used to heat the incense rocks. As well as, chipped portions of the left and right posterior sides of the perforated neck, covered in intricate patterns, to allow smoke to emit out of the head of the lion. Bluish-green spots and patches are present all over the item, which was probably due to water damage from extinguishing the hot coals. The technique the artist used to construct and design the item relied heavily on symmetry. From the start of the back of the neck down to the start of the tail, a long undecorated line interrupted by a horizontal band of inscriptions around the neck appears to divide the sculpture medially. The simple shapes of the head a sphere with two rectangular ears atop it and a cone like neck below. Including a cylindrical body and legs. The artist’s etching of the lion’s face and body, as well as the three