the pierced brass half sphere engraved with tightly interlaced geometrical motifs within bands of alternating oval and round cartouches containing scrolling leaves and flowerheads, some details inlaid with silver, 14.2cm diameter, 8.3cm high
This is one half of what would have been a spherical hand warmer. It would have contained a gyroscopic device that kept a flame in upright position.
Two similar hand warmers are in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence, Bg.B 292 and Bg. B 299, as illustrated in Antonio Paolucci, Islam. Specchio d'Oriente, Firenze 2002, pp.116. Another example is in the British Museum in London. Click here for a link to inv. no. 1878,1230.683 in the British Museum
