Innsbruck Plate
Title: Innsbruck Plate/Artuqid Bowl/Plate of Rukn al-Dawla Dawud
Date: ca. 1114–44 CE
Medium: Copper; gilded, cloisonné, champlevé, enamel
Credit Line: Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum, Innsbruck (K 1036)
A gift to the Artuqid ruler of Hisn Kayfa, Rukn al-Dawla Dawud, this exquisite and well-preserved copper dish was used to establish a message of community across cultural and regional divides. This object currently stands as the only piece of medieval enamelwork that can be tied to a historic Islamic culture based on the ruler’s name found in the inscription on the dish. It takes the form of a curved plate and depicts the apotheosis of Alexander the Great in the center with griffins, scenes of animal combat, and dancing human figures surrounding the center medallion. This common image shown in medieval art of the apotheosis of Alexander the Great helps relay a message of community and respect through the acknowledgement of power and royalty.