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 15th century CE and were probably produced in Herat, an important artistic and literary centre during the Timurid period (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.