“Cup of Pharaoh” from Samarra and the Reuse of Ancient spolia as Water Features in the medieval Islamic World

This paper opens with a consideration of the biography large basin discovered during excavations at Abbasid capital Samarra. The large, circular, from Samarra closely matches historical descriptions fountain located in city’s Congregational Mosque which became known as “kasat firun,” or “Cup Pharaoh” and, since its discovery, this excavated and account have often been conflated one same. is carved non-local—and probably Egyptian—stone may generated mysterious association Pharaonic past. A possible sources such stone might obtained Islamic period, however, up wider discussion related to reuse pre-Islamic artefacts water features. explores scenarios through acquired by caliphs alongside logistics associated transport In addition, likely motivations for installation enigmatic are evaluated—including pragmatic an impressive piece stonework, symbolic statement contemporary pre-eminence over rulers past perhaps even beliefs quasi-magical powers ancient objects. Alongside this, existence several comparable, near-contemporary, basins, demonstrate that objects features important locations, was practice seen both world beyond. As object seems led multiple lives, complex illuminates ways material remains were understood repurposed Caliphate.