Baptistère de Saint Louis

inlaid metal basin [14th century]

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Article History

Baptistère de Saint Louis, inlaid metal basin made by Mohammed ibn al-Zain about 1320–40. Made of hammered bronze, the vessel is inlaid with gold, silver, and niello. The exterior depicts scenes from the Mamlūk court, especially the sultan’s courtiers wearing clothing characteristic of their status and bearing symbols of their rank. The basin received its name in the 18th century and was so called because it was used as the baptismal font for several royal children, including Louis XIII. (Despite the name by which it has been known since the 18th century, this vessel did not exist during the time of Louis IX, who died in 1270 and was canonized in 1297.) The maker of the vessel signed the work in Arabic six times.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.