begging bowl; low relief carving on half of a coco-de-mer which is attached to iron link chain over which are 9 wide and 8 narrow brass rings; chain attached with screws; geometric designs and depictions of darvishes with their kashkuls, floral fillers; calligraphic-like design band around base; white brass drinking tube; one of the three traditional objects (along with flute and double-headed axe) carried by the Sufis (Persian Darvishes). Used both as a begging bowl and an eating and drinking utensil, traditionally carried on the right forearm. Formed from a fan palm nut shell which come only from the island of Praslin in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. This particular kashkul is a 20th Century example and may have been made for sale. Low relief carving known as monabbat. Larry Dawson says that these shells come from several of the islands in the Seychelles and that the shells do float and many have been found on the shores of India.
Donor:
KQED Radio
Collection place:
Iran (Persia)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Bowls (vessels) and Carvings (visual works)
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies