Most moving are the gentle faces of the African Magus and his attendant, the only two figures who look directly at the viewer in the c. 1514 "Adoration of the Kings" from the workshop of the Netherlandish master Gerard David.
Engravings and inlays of silver and gold depict hunting and court scenes, animals real and make-believe, enthroned kings and courtiers and, unusually, the name of the basin's maker, "master Muhammad ibn al-Zayn may he be forgiven, " appears six times.