Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Box
The interlace decoration on this unique box resembles that of several painted ivory pyxes produced in Sicily between about 1140 and 1220. Although made for Christian liturgical use, the piece is ornamented in an Islamic style and has an illegible Arabic inscription on the lid. Sicily fell under Arab rule in 902, and many Islamic craftsmen continued to work there after the Norman conquest of 1072. Following a rebellion in 1221, most Sicilian Muslims were expelled to North Africa.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2008-2009 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Museum of Biblical Art, New York; Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville; Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha. |
Geographies
Italy, Sicily
(Place of Origin)
Italy, Venice (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 3 7/8 × Diam: 4 1/8 in. (9.9 × 10.5 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
54.517