Wednesday, March 7, 2018

57. Pyxis of al-Mughira - Islamic, Umayyad Dynasty - c. 968 CE

Form
Function
Content
Context

Tradition/Change
Interpretation
Artistic Intent
Audience Response

Responses are due by:
Monday, February 24, 2020 11:59 PM

3 comments:

  1. Mckenna
    Form-Ivory
    Function- Sometimes used to hold gems, jewels, or seals.
    Content-Show leisure activities:Hunting, falconry, sports, and music.
    Context- It is the Islamic style.
    Tradition- Horror vacui
    Interpretation- People collecting eggs from falcons is a symbol of the Umayyad legitimacy.
    Artistic Intent- A gift for the 18 year old Al-Mughira, as a coming of age gift.
    Audience response- Many ivory pieces such as this were popular with Islamic royalty.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nandini
    Form: Inlaid jade and several other precious stones
    Function: Container for expensive aromatics
    Content: vegetal motifs
    Context: from Muslim Spain
    Tradition: Ivory was highly desirable for the creation of pyxides because it was easily carved and durable
    Interpretation: calligraphic inscription in Arabic names the owner
    Intent: Asks for Allah's blessings
    Audience Response: Given as caliphal gifts to important allies

    ReplyDelete
  3. katherine
    Form- calligraphy
    Function- gift for the caliphs younger son
    Content- shows pleasurable activities of the royal court
    Context- located in spain
    Tradition- royal ivory carving tradition
    Interpretation- the man with the scepter and the flask represents the caliph
    Artistic Intent- to show highly specific royal iconography
    Audience Response- a gift to the prince for coming of age

    ReplyDelete