Pilgrim Flask

Public Domain

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CultureIndian

Titles

Pilgrim Flask

Date17th century

MediumBrass; cast and incised

Dimensions11 1/4 × 10 3/8 × 3 3/4 in. (28.6 × 26.4 × 9.5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Friends of Art of the Islamic Worlds

Object number2015.577

Current Location

The Caroline Wiess Law Building

114 Islamic Art Gallery

On view

Explore Further

Department

Art of the Islamic Worlds

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionThis flask was likely used to hold water for a wandering dervish. The four metal rings allow for suspension and portability. Earlier examples of comparable vessels originate in Türkiye, while similarly shaped flasks made from animal hide appear in India. Court paintings from the Indian Deccan depict nearly identical vessels.
Provenance[Sotheby’s, London, April 2010, Lot 166]; Mohammed Rezai, Houston; purchased by MFAH, 2015.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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