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

A large, circular basin discovered at the Abbasid capital of Samarra matches historical descriptions of a fountain known as 'Cup of Pharaoh' in the city's Congregational Mosque. This basin, likely carved from non-local Egyptian stone, challenges assumptions about its origin and purpose. The study explores possible acquisition scenarios, transport logistics, and motivations behind its reuse, including pragmatic repurposing or symbolic statements of contemporary power. Comparable basins suggest this practice was widespread in the medieval Islamic world, highlighting how ancient artifacts were understood and repurposed during the Abbasid Caliphate.

Brown, P. J. (2022). “Cup of Pharaoh” from Samarra and the Reuse of Ancient spolia as Water Features in the medieval Islamic World. Journal of Islamic Archaeology, 9(1), 59–82. https://doi.org/10.1558/jia.23645