This content was created by Qianqian Wang. The last update was by Erica Belden.

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OLD Art in an Early Global World at WAM: A WAM/College of the Holy Cross Collaboration

Reclining Cat

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Why was this ewer made and how was it used? Erica Belden, Class of 2026, College of the Holy Cross

This ewer was made for the transportation of liquids. Ewers from this time period were used to transport wine for drinking and water for bathing. These objects could be used daily for diverse needs. The Ewer in Chicken Shape makes a nice comparison, both in terms of shape and style, to the Worcester Art Museum's ewer.

Many portable artworks were made in the shape of animals, like the Reclining Cat made in Greater Iran in the 1100s or 1200s. While these household objects do not serve the same physical purpose, they are similar in their form.
Reclining Cat (1949.20) Audrey Wang, Class of 2025, College of the Holy Cross

Cast in medieval Iran, this bronze cat reclines with its forepaws extended, a pose that alludes to its sophistication. Artisans in the Seljuq period were masters of metal, often using bronze—a term that, at the time, was commonly associated with copper-based alloys. This complex process involved melting and molding the metal, then enhancing it with fine copper inlays for a striking contrast, especially noticeable in the cat’s expressive eyes and eyebrows. The cat’s eyes and eyebrows, inlaid with copper, stand out for their lifelike quality and detail: the cat turns its head to watch us intently. Such craftsmanship was not just a show of skill but a reflection of the value that society placed on artistic metalwork. Such details both emulate a domestic cat’s tactile fur and convey a texture of luxury and refinement. This object, likely a household item of significance, also makes us wonder about the role of the cat in medieval Islamic domestic culture. This sculpture, where trade routes enabled the exchange of metals across long distances, and where many different kinds of households might be adorned with living cats, whose bright eyes tracked the movements of the humans living alongside them, indicates that these materials were highly prized and widely traded. The Seljuq territories were bustling centers of trade, where caravans traversed long distances, carrying precious metals among other goods.