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"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

dated 715 AH/1315 CE
Not on view
Al-Jazari, the author of this treatise on a variety of practical and fanciful mechanical devices, served at the Artuqid court in Diyar Bakr in the late eleventh to the early twelfth century. Some of the elements of the peacock clock, run by water, are shown in this illustration. In the completed device, the arch containing two peacocks would be surmounted by another containing a peahen that would turn from right to left in the course of a half hour, causing the peacocks to whistle.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "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
  • Author: Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari (Northern Mesopotamia 1136–1206 Northern Mesopotamia)
  • Date: dated 715 AH/1315 CE
  • Geography: Attributed to probably Syria or Iraq
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 12 3/8 in. (31.4 cm)
    W. 8 11/16 in. (22.1 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.121.15
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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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, Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Design on Each Side for Waterwheel Worked by Donkey Power", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari
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Farrukh ibn `Abd al-Latif
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"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
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"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 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
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, gold, and watercolor on paper
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