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Lot Essay
This bowl is made with a double skin. It seems probable that an earlier bowl has been augmented by a late 13th century interior, in order to preserve the efficacy of the first. The interior decoration would fully accord with such an attribution and indeed relates closely to bowls sold in these Rooms which also dated from that period (20 October 1992, lots 152-158). The double outline typical of designs which were intended to be inlaid with silver or which were imitating such pieces is also consistent with this date. The exterior decoration however is certainly earlier in feel.
The band of inscription around the rim on the exterior is in the name of the Mamluk Sultan Malik Mansur Lajin (1296-99). Remarkably, it bears the date 432 which would correspond to 1041 AD. Another 'magic' bowl formerly in the Schefer Collection, apparently otherwise undecorated, bears the same date and sultan's name (Wiet, Gaston: Catalogue général du musée arabe du Caire: Objets en cuivre, Cairo, 1932, p.52, no.1). Three or possibly four others are known which are undated but which also bear the same name (op. cit, p.53, nos.19-21; the fourth is in a private London Collection). This quantity of pieces dating from a very short reign indicates a particular interest in such matters at the time. The reason for the early date on a piece which is otherwise Mamluk is difficult to rationalise; perhaps it is just magic!
The band of inscription around the rim on the exterior is in the name of the Mamluk Sultan Malik Mansur Lajin (1296-99). Remarkably, it bears the date 432 which would correspond to 1041 AD. Another 'magic' bowl formerly in the Schefer Collection, apparently otherwise undecorated, bears the same date and sultan's name (Wiet, Gaston: Catalogue général du musée arabe du Caire: Objets en cuivre, Cairo, 1932, p.52, no.1). Three or possibly four others are known which are undated but which also bear the same name (op. cit, p.53, nos.19-21; the fourth is in a private London Collection). This quantity of pieces dating from a very short reign indicates a particular interest in such matters at the time. The reason for the early date on a piece which is otherwise Mamluk is difficult to rationalise; perhaps it is just magic!