<em>Chihil Kilid (Forty Keys) Divination Bowl with Inscriptions, Zodiac Signs, and Four Plaquettes</em>, 1679. Copper alloy (brass), engraved with repoussé center and inlaid with black composites, 3in. (7.6cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, 1989.149.11. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1989.149.11_PS2.jpg)

Chihil Kilid (Forty Keys) Divination Bowl with Inscriptions, Zodiac Signs, and Four Plaquettes, 1679. Copper alloy (brass), engraved with repoussé center and inlaid with black composites, 3in. (7.6cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, 1989.149.11. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1989.149.11_PS2.jpg)

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Chihil Kilid (Forty Keys) Divination Bowl with Inscriptions, Zodiac Signs, and Four Plaquettes

Arts of the Islamic World

On View: Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor

MEDIUM Copper alloy (brass), engraved with repoussé center and inlaid with black composites

Place Made: Western Iran, Iran

DATES 1679

DYNASTY Safavid

PERIOD Safavid Period

DIMENSIONS 3in. (7.6cm) 3 x 7 1/2 x 7 1/2in. (7.6 x 19.1 x 19.1cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Islamic World

ACCESSION NUMBER 1989.149.11

CREDIT LINE Gift of Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson in memory of her husband

PROVENANCE Prior to 1989, provenance not yet documented; by 1989, acquired by Irma Bezold Wilkinson (Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson) of New York, NY; December 14, 1989, gift of Irma Bezold Wilkinson to the Brooklyn Museum.

Provenance FAQ

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION A brass divination bowl with a raised semi-spherical center. There are tiny inscriptions engraved on the entire surface, both interior and exterior of the bowl. On the interior, the inscriptions in naskhi script appear in round, overlapping medallions. On the exterior, inscriptions also appear in round medallions; however, within a border below the rim, the inscriptions alternate with depictions of the zodiac signs. Inscriptions also cover the surface of the everted rim. There is an inscription on the bottom stating the date of the piece 1090 AH/1679 CE and a blessing to the owner (his name is not given). The piece arrived with four inscribed brass plaquettes (see Text Entry for further information; two are thought to be pieces of Chinese mirrors [originally thought to be Armenian?], and other two are inscribed in Arabic). The inscriptions between the zodiac signs, mentioned above, point to Shi`a themes.

EXHIBITIONS

Arts of the Islamic World

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor

CAPTION Chihil Kilid (Forty Keys) Divination Bowl with Inscriptions, Zodiac Signs, and Four Plaquettes, 1679. Copper alloy (brass), engraved with repoussé center and inlaid with black composites, 3in. (7.6cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, 1989.149.11. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1989.149.11_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 1989.149.11_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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