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"Design on Each Side for Waterwheel Worked by Donkey Power", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari

dated 715 AH/1315 CE
Not on view
This page is from a dispersed copy of a manuscript, dated A.H. 715/A.D. 1315, of al-Jazari's Kitab fi ma'rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya (The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanaical Devices, also known as The Automata). The drawing pertains to the chapter dealing with devices for raising water from pools or wells using animals. In this case, the donkey moves around the pole with the lever arm attached to its neck; its motion causes the wheels to rotate, thus raising the large ladle out of the water at regular intervals. The water is then discharged into the irrigation channel.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Design on Each Side for Waterwheel Worked by Donkey Power", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari
  • Author: Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari (Northern Mesopotamia 1136–1206 Northern Mesopotamia)
  • Artist: Copy by Farrukh ibn `Abd al-Latif
  • Date: dated 715 AH/1315 CE
  • Geography: Attributed to probably Syria or Iraq
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 11 5/8 in. (29. 5 cm)
    W. 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm)
    Mat size:
    H. 19 in. (48.3 cm)
    W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
    Frame:
    H. 21 5/8 in. (54.9 cm)
    W. 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.121.11
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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"The Elephant Clock", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari, Farrukh ibn `Abd al-Latif, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"The Elephant Clock", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari
Farrukh ibn `Abd al-Latif
Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari
dated 715 AH/1315 CE
"Design for a Clock in the Form of an Elephant with an Indian Driver", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari, Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Design for a Clock in the Form of an Elephant with an Indian Driver", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari
Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari
dated 715 AH/1315 CE
"Figure for Use at Drinking Parties", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari, Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Figure for Use at Drinking Parties", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari
Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari
dated 715 AH/1315 CE
"Design for the Water Clock of the Peacocks", from the Kitab fi ma'rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya (Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices) by Badi' al-Zaman b. al Razzaz al-Jazari, Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Design for the Water Clock of the Peacocks", from the Kitab fi ma'rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya (Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices) by Badi' al-Zaman b. al Razzaz al-Jazari
Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari
dated 715 AH/1315 CE
"Design for a Cup to Serve Wine at Drinking Parties", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari, Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Design for a Cup to Serve Wine at Drinking Parties", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari
Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari
dated 715 AH/1315 CE

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