Hand basin, parcel-gilt, embossed silver inlaid with blue, green, and crimson enamel

It was a widespread custom in the Islamic world to wash one’s hands before entering a house, and basins like this one were used before meals as well. The lid is perforated so that the sight of dirty water did not bother the guests. An equally richly decorated ewer once made up a set with the basin.

The embossed silver basin has elegantly conceived and deeply engraved decorations featuring gazelles, flowers, and other ornamentation filled out with transparent enamel. There are less costly basins with simpler decoration of the same type made of bronze and bidri metal.