A FATIMID ROCK CRYSTAL PERFUME FLASK, EGYPT, 10TH-12TH CENTURY

The body cut as a hexagonal prism with faceted cylindrical neck.Height: 7 cm.Weight: 82.15 gr.CATALOGUE NOTE Rock crystal, from which this flask was carved, is the purest form of quartz, and is renowned for both its hardness and clarity. It was associated with air and water by the polymath al-Biruni (973-1048 AD), and its translucency was so admired that it was sometimes known as Busaq al-qamar or “Spittle of the Moon” (Julian Raby, Sotheby’s Geneva Sale Catalogue, 25 June 1985, lot 187). The Fatimids, who were Isma’ili Shi’ites with a highly sophisticated theosophy, would have considered the rock crystal's unique ability to catch light as a special medium, deeming it ‘dynastic material’ (Shalem 1996, pp.61-62, no.60). The hexagonal facet-cut shape of the present flask would have brought out these qualities.