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Primary sourceArtifact964

Pyxis of Zamora

964

An ivory box made in 964 for the mother of a prince named after Abd ar-Rahman III, showing the luxury craftsmanship of his court.

Made under his son's caliphate, this ivory box shows the luxury court culture Abd ar-Rahman III founded.

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A cylindrical ivory box with a domed lid topped by a small finial, carved with birds, deer, foliage and an arcade band, fitted with a silver hinged clasp, displayed on green fabric.
Pyxis of Zamora, 964. National Archaeological Museum, Madrid.

About this source

What it is

This carved ivory casket, about 18 centimetres tall, was made in 964 for Subh, consort of Caliph al-Hakam II, Abd ar-Rahman III's son. An Arabic inscription on the lid records that it was made to celebrate the birth of a prince named Abd al-Rahman, after his grandfather. It is now in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid.

Why it matters

The pyxis shows the wealth and artistic skill of the ivory workshops at the Cordoban court that Abd ar-Rahman III had founded as caliph. Its fine carving of peacocks, gazelles and wings reflects the political rivalry between the Umayyads of al-Andalus and the Abbasids, with luxury objects used to display Umayyad sophistication.

Look closer

  • What do the materials and craftsmanship tell you about who could own such an object?
  • Why might a ruling family commission expensive gifts to mark a birth?
  • What story do the inscription and decoration together tell about power and family?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Abd al-Rahman III on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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