Jug, 900s. This jug is one of the rare surviving Islamic vessels made entirely of precious metal. Its inscription bands contain Arabic poetry that translates, in part: "You are the image of the full moon at night, the first gleam of sun on the horizon of the morning. You are a sword in the times of war, a beneficent rain in times of peace . . . your sword cuts the necks of Buyid enemies in great quantities . . . Glory and prosperity to the just king Samsam al-Dawla . . . May God lengthen your reign!"

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Size: 3730px × 4273px
Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 985-998, ad, al-dawla, art, baghdad, buyid, chased, cleveland, decoration, engraved, gold, heritage, iran, iraq, metalwork, museum, period, reign, repoussé, samsam, unknown