A KHORASSAN SILVER INLAID BRONZE INKWELL

NORTH EAST PERSIA, EARLY 13TH CENTURY

Details

A KHORASSAN SILVER INLAID BRONZE INKWELL
NORTH EAST PERSIA, EARLY 13TH CENTURY
Of cylindrical form, the cover with lobed central boss rising to a ball knop, the sides inlaid with three rows of florets divided by interlacing ropework, three applied bronze handles, the outer lid rim with a band of angular silver inlaid kufic with three applied loops, the top of the lid with band of elongated silver naskh, the lobes of the boss inlaid with silver in the form of birds interrupted by florets, inside of lid with four inlaid florets, base engraved with band of scrolling floral motifs around a central roundel of silver inlaid interlace, the interior of the mouth with a broad flat band of engraved calligraphy interrupted by roundels, little silver missing, some possibly replaced, areas of light encrustation
4½in. (11.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

The naskh inscription on the lid reads: al-'izz w'al-iqbal w'al-dawla w'al-salama w'al-sa'ada w'al-(...) w'al-karama w'al-(...) w'al-'afiya(?) w'al-'inayat(?) w'al-baqa w'al-(...) li-sahibihi (" glory, prosperity, wealth, peace, happiness, ..., nobility, ..., good health, completeness, providence, longevity and ... to the owner" ).

The kufic inscription around the rim of the lid is also benedictory.

The decoration around the body of this inkwell is a motif which is rarely used in this medium but which is far more frequently encountered in the field of architecture. It can however also be seen on a footed cup also from Khorassan now in the Bargello (Baer, E.: Metalwork in Medieval Islamic Art, New York, 1983, pl.89). Shortly after this the motif is found further west as it is found covering a Siirt candlestick made for a Ayyubid local ruler in the Nuhad es-Said Collection (Allan, James W.: Islamic Metalwork -- The Nuhad es-Said Collection, London, 1982, no. 9, pp.66-69).

More from Islamic

View All