Cleveland Museum of Art

Bath Pail (Satl)

Date

c. 1580–1610

Medium

cast brass, turned, engraved, inlaid with black compound (niello)

Culture

Iran, Isfahan, Safavid period (1501-1722)

Department

Islamic Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Building on the tradition of ancient Roman baths, the hammam (public bath) was, and still is, an integral part of social life in the Islamic world. This pail was used to carry bathing equipment for a wealthy individual from their home to the hammam. It is decorated with an interlacing geometric design with a central band of repeating animals. Bathing was a popular theme with Iranian poets. On this piece, verses by the celebrated poet Jami (died 1492) relay the story of a youth inquiring as to why the hammam brings so much joy. An elder responds, “The secret is that the bather has nothing of the trappings of this world / But a bathing-bowl and towel—and even those belong to others.” Three animal motifs are repeated within the geometric interlacing: a doe with its head turned backward; a water fowl; and a horned animal, possibly an ibex.

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