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How did Mamluk metalworkers decorate bowls, basins, and candlesticks?
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metalwork
Warrior and attendants plaque, brass relief sculpture by Edo artists in the court of the kingdom of Benin (now Nigeria), 16th–17th century; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
Mamluk metalworkers achieved a high level of technical perfection in decorating objects such as bowls, basins, and candlesticks, primarily through the sophisticated use of engraving and damascening.12
- Inlay Technique: Engraving served as the foundation for the richer technique of damascening. Craftsmen hollowed out and undercut the surfaces of the metal to hammer in delicate silver plates and wires, which were themselves intricately engraved.1
- Ornamental Motifs: Early decorative schemes featured friezes and medallions incorporating arabesque patterns and lattice work. Interstices were often filled with figures of hunters, musicians, warriors, animals, and astrological symbols.1
- Evolution of Design: Over time, these figurative motifs were largely superseded by Mamluk coats of arms and bold calligraphy, which became a hallmark of their bronze work.12
- 15th-Century Renaissance: During the 15th century, there was a resurgence of pure metal engraving. Rather than cutting designs into the material, artisans left inscriptions and arabesques in relief, while the background was etched in black.1