Lot 230
230
A KHORASSAN PIERCED AND CAST BRONZE PENCASE
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A KHORASSAN PIERCED AND CAST BRONZE PENCASE

NORTH EAST PERSIA, 12TH CENTURY

Details
A KHORASSAN PIERCED AND CAST BRONZE PENCASE
North East Persia, 12th Century
Of cylindrical form with raised bands at each end, the terminals domed, one formed as a separate lid, attachment loops at each side for suspension, the sides pierced with bands of lattice divided by bands of engraved kufic inscriptions on a scrolling floral ground, lower terminal with similar kufic, upper terminal pierced, even brown patination
12¾in. (32.5cm.) long
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The bands of highly stylised kufic inscription on the body can be read: b'il-yumn w'al-baraka wa salama w'al-ni'ma wal-yumn baraka wa [bara]ka wa salama wa-ni'ma (With good fortune and blessing and peace and grace and good fortune, blessing and blessing and peace and grace).
The form of this unusual container is very similar to the later Tibetan dor-je work pencases which can be dated as far back as the 14th century. As here, they are partly pierced and are suspended from side loops at one end. This method of suspension is identical to that used for the cylindrical inkwells seen for example in lot 241.

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