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Pyxis of al-Mughira (968 CE)

Pyxis (cylindrical ivory box with lid) inscribed with the name of al-Mughira, Umayyad prince, 968 CE. Carved ivory. Louvre Museum, Paris (Inv. OA 4068). The most important surviving inscribed Umayyad ivory from Córdoba, carved with four figural roundels showing court and mythological scenes, and an inscription identifying the owner as 'al-Mughira ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad' (son of Caliph Abd al-Rahman III).

Scholarly Significance

Anchor Umayyad Córdoba luxury arts with the Pyxis of al-Mughira — the most important surviving inscribed Umayyad ivory carving, establishing the Andalusian-Umayyad tradition.

Notes

  • ·The pyxis is inscribed: 'In the name of God. Blessing from God, favorable destiny, perfect joy, complete success, lasting grace, and the attainment of hopes upon al-Mughira ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad, may God have mercy on him. Made in the year 357 [= 968 CE].' This identifies the owner as Prince al-Mughira, youngest son of Caliph Abd al-Rahman III of Córdoba.
  • ·The four carved roundels on the body depict: (1) an enthroned prince flanked by servants with falcons (investiture scene); (2) a seated figure holding a falcon while two attendants hold an eagle above him; (3) two men fighting over a date palm (possibly a Shahnameh or historical narrative); (4) a falconer on horseback with attendants. The iconographic program draws on both Persian court imagery and late antique traditions.
  • ·The combination of an Arabic inscription identifying a Umayyad prince by name, an exact date, and high-quality figural carving makes this one of the most important Islamic luxury objects to survive.
  • ·Al-Mughira was murdered in 976 CE on the orders of his nephew Hisham II, who feared his political ambitions; the pyxis may have been made for his coming-of-age ceremony.
  • ·The Umayyad court in Córdoba (Emirate from 756, Caliphate from 929) was a major production centre for ivory pyxides in the 10th–11th centuries. Key producers: the ivory ateliers of Córdoba and Medina Azahara.
  • ·About 30 inscribed Umayyad ivory pyxides survive; the Louvre example is the finest and most completely documented.