The Courtauld Metal Bag In Detail: The Courtauld Metal Bag

The Courtauld Bag is one of the most exceptional pieces of its kind. Roundels (discs) on the bag’s body feature musicians, revellers and horsemen. The key to the bag’s function is found on its lid. Here a courtly feast unfolds, framed by a band of inscriptions praising the ruler. Attendants in minutely patterned coats and sumptuous hats bring food and drink in luxurious vessels of the type found across Asia and the Middle East. An attendant at either end offers courtly entertainments of music and hunting.

In the centre sits an enthroned female figure, probably the ruler’s consort (khatun). Her personal attendant, wearing a similar bag across his chest, offers her a mirror. The loop attachments still present on the Courtauld Bag confirm it was likewise once worn with straps.

Sussan Babaie (Reader in the arts of Iran and Islam) takes the opportunity to look closely at ‘The Courtauld Metal Bag’ in this week’s ‘In Detail’ short film. The shape of this exceptional object is unique in metalwork and has had various functions ascribed to it. New research suggests it was a bag made for a noblewoman of the Il-Khanid dynasty (1256-1353), part of the vast Mongol empire descended from Genghis Khan. Sussan will look more closely at the court scene on the lid which shows a banquet with at its centre a lady seated alongside her husband on a double throne. They are surrounded by a retinue, including the lady’s attendant (to her right), who wears a similar bag suspended from his shoulder. Join Sussan to learn more about the history of this object and the storytold on its lid. #OpenCourtauld