A Peacock Basin 1206

This image shows a page from “The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices”, made by Al-Jazari, a scholar and artist from Jazira, Mesopotamia, sometime around the 12th century. This manuscript blends the traditions of art and engineering, showing a device for dispensing water. The peacock is not merely decorative; it is integral to the machine's function. As the peacock tilts, it dispenses water from its beak. The figure of a servant attends to the dispensing of the water; this reflects a world of courtly life and service. The presence of inscriptions and diagrams points to the significance of science and learning. In its time, the book was commissioned to demonstrate the knowledge of the patron, and the sophistication of the court. The image also demonstrates the artist’s knowledge of mechanics. Understanding this image requires us to consider the social and political history of scientific patronage in the Islamic world, as revealed by library records and court documents from that time. By looking at these kinds of primary sources, we can learn more about how the art and science blend together.