Cup with a Poem on Wine 950 - 1099

This silver cup, made around the turn of the first millennium by Ibn Sukkara al-Hashimi, offers a glimpse into the world of elite craftsmanship. The cup is crafted from a single sheet of silver, painstakingly raised and shaped. The delicate inscriptions, a poem about wine, weren't simply etched; they were likely chased using specialized tools, each strike requiring precision and control. Silver, a precious material, speaks to the patron’s wealth and status, while the act of hammering and chasing reflects a significant investment of labor. Consider the silversmith: their skill, time, and effort are embedded in this object. The cup is not merely a container, but a testament to the value placed on artistry and the social rituals of consumption. By looking closely at the material and the making, we can understand the significance of craft in society, and its relation to both art and life.