A pair of antique Syrian Mamluk revival vases, 20th century

Turning back to the glorious period of artistic and architectural production and flourishing, in which the Sultans turned Cairo into the commerical centre of the Islamic world, and in which artists enjoyed great levels of patronage, the Mamluk revival was a time in which much of the Middle East sought to preserve the artistic heritage of this rich Sultanate period, in particular its metalwork. This pair of vases, made in Syria in the early 20th century, are such an example. Made from brass and inlaid with silver and copper, they feature inscriptions in both Arabic and Hebrew, set amonst intricate patterns of knots and vines. The rich brass colour is complemented by the combination of the silver and reddy-brown of the copper, and are truly excellent examples of Mamluk-style metalwork.