The Candle-Clock
author
Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari
(Mesopotamian, 1136 - 1206)
calligrapher
Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Izmiri
(Egyptian, active 1354)
Date1354
Place MadeEgypt, Ancient & Byzantine World-Africa
MediumGold and colors on paper
Dimensions32 x 25 cm (12 5/8 x 9 13/16 in.)
ClassificationsManuscripts
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberP19w50
Status
Not on viewWeb Commentary
This page is from an Egyptian version of a treatise on fantastic devices written in 1204 by the famous Arab inventor al-Jazari. The burning yellow candle releases metal balls into the red sling attached to the swordsman’s arm, causing him to drop the sword to trim the wick. The ball then falls into the falcon at the base, indicating that an hour has passed. Why include manuscript paintings from the Islamic world in this gallery? With her love of Venice, a city that maintained vibrant ties with the Middle East, Gardner may have created this installation as a reminder of the importance of Islamic art and culture in the Renaissance.
Id719351
Last Updated8/9/24
EmbARK ObjectID13426
Source ID2359
Scuola del Santissimo Sacramento di San Geminiano
1504-1799