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Collections

Belt cup13th-early 14th century

Not on view
Silver-alloy shallow bowl with heavily tarnished surface and a raised scalloped flange decorated with gilded engraved floral scrollwork
Metal bowl with lobed, scalloped rim decorated with gilt engraved floral scrollwork; interior features two gilt fish facing opposite directions against a darkened silver-toned surface.
Title
Belt cup
Place Made
Southern Russia
Date Made
13th-early 14th century
Medium
Silver gilt, engraved and chased
Dimensions
1 1/2 x 4 3/4x 4 1/2 in. (3.81 x 12.07 x 11.43 cm)
Credit Line
Purchased with funds provided by the Joan Palevsky Bequest
Accession Number
M.2006.138.3
Classification
Sculpture
Collecting Area
Art of the Middle East: Islamic
Curatorial Notes

Cups of this type in either gold or silver gilt had a special place in Mongol society, where they were viewed as articles of prestige and power, particularly for the branch of the dynasty known as the Golden Horde, which ruled in southern Russia. Among the Golden Horde, shallow drinking cups were worn suspended from the belt (hence the term belt cup), making them a form of portable wealth that suited the Mongol military elite. This one, with its characteristic flanged handle, was probably carried in some kind of pouch fastened to the belt.

Selected Bibliography

  • Lo Terrenal y lo Divino: Arte Islámico siglos VII al XIX Colección del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Ángeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural La Moneda, 2015.

  • Komaroff, Linda. Beauty and Identity: Islamic Art from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2016.
  • Komaroff, Linda, editor. Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; New York: DelMonico Books, 2023.