Scribe's Box

CultureSpanish
Titles
  • Scribe's Box
Datelate 15th century
MediumWood; inlaid with bone and metal; pigments
Dimensions9 3/4 × 21 1/2 × 12 1/2 in. (24.8 × 54.6 × 31.8 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the 2010 Art of the Islamic Worlds Gala
Object number2010.224
Current Location
The Caroline Wiess Law Building
113 Islamic Art Gallery
Exposé

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Object Type
DescriptionThis scribe’s box is an extraordinary example of luxury woodwork production in Spain under the Nasrid dynasty (r. 1232–1492). It
follows a tradition of wood inlay in geometric patterns that can be seen on a variety of objects, including mosque pulpits (minbar),
doors, and chests to house Qur’an manuscripts. The Nasrids, best known for their luxurious palace in the citadel of the Alhambra in
Granada, were the last Islamic dynasty to rule Spain before the Christian Reconquista, of the Iberian Peninsula in 1492.
ProvenanceDon Jose Moragas Pomar, Barcelona; purchased by MFAH, 2010.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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2010.223
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Nasir al-Din Shah Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.16
Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.2
Bibi or Queen Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.1
As or Ace Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.6
As or Ace Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.3
As or Ace Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.4
Serbaz or Soldier Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.7
Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.8
Lakat or Dancer Playing Card for the Game of Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.11
Set of 16 Playing Cards for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.1-.16