Zoomorphic bronze incense burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din, 1181-82

Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, 1181-82, Iran

The Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi (1181-82) Iran is located in Gallery 453 in the Galleries for the Art of Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia. The Metropolitan Museum designates the medium used in the work of art as bronze, cast, engraved, chased, and pierced. The Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi is approximately 33 1/2 inches in height and 32 1/2 inches in length. The appearance of the incense burner is zoomorphic which was a popular representation during the Seijug period.

Appearance

The appearance of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi is that of some type of animal such as a dog. The characteristics of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi include engraving on the body of the work of art, which appears to be names inscribed into the metalwork of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi.

The feet of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi are encased in some type of shoes making the feet non-visible to the viewer. There are various medals on the front and sides of the animal represented in the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardil.

II. Various Views

The Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi when viewed from the side view has the appearance of leaning back however, when viewed from the front the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi appears to be at a relaxed stance. The Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi also appears to be a type of guard animal.

When viewed from the front the eyes of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi appear to be closed however, viewed from a slightly front angle the eyes of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi appear to be open and watching the viewer.

III. The Artwork

The artwork in the form of engravings upon the metal of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi are larger and more easily disseminated toward the front of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi. However, as the object is viewed front to back the engravings grow smaller and more intricate as it moves toward the back of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi.

Summary and Conclusion

The Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi is an interesting object with intricate engraving on the body of the work of art. The appearance of the Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi is such that appears to be a type of guard dog that is intently observing the viewer of this work of art.

The space on the figure is strategically used and engraving placed nearly on 100% of the figure except for the area going down the zoomorphic figure's legs at which point the engraving is spaced out with much of the legs of the figure having open space with no engraving which sharply contrasts to the rest of the figure characterized by a continuous intricate engraving.

The Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa'l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi is an interesting piece of art. The metal engraving on the bronze figure gives the work of art a feeling of mysteriousness.