Especially after the Mongol‑Mamluk peace of 1323, the Chinese motifs popular in contemporary Ilkhanid art began to appear in the art and architecture of the Mamluks. Here, a Chinese cloud‑collar design provides the framework of four medallions, each decorated with a bird of prey attacking a goose, surrounded by a floral ground of Chinese‑inspired lotus and peony blossoms. Bottles of this shape served as wine decanters, and are depicted as such in banqueting scenes in a variety of media.
Credit: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1936
First half 14th century
Glass, colorless with green tinge; blown, blown applied foot, applied decoration, enameled and gilded
49.8cm
36.33
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Where you'll find this
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection