IRAN, LATE 16TH CENTURY

Details

A SAFAVID ENGRAVED BRASS KETTLE
IRAN, LATE 16TH CENTURY
Of voluptuous drop-form on high spreading cylindrical foot, the loop handle straddling the top with upper covered inlet, rising curving tapering tubular spout with flowerhead terminal, the body covered with scrolling interlaced arabesques inhabited by a variety of animals, bands of arabesques above and below, the top with cusped cartouches containing animals on a scrolling vine ground, the handle with meandering vine, inlet cover an old replacement, handle and spout refixed
14in. (35.7cm.) high

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium

Lot Essay

A Safavid engraved brass kettle, from the collection of Dr. Amir Pakzad, was sold through these Rooms 29 April 2003, lot 120; (see also Niewöhner, Elke: Islamische Kunst, Kestner-Museum Hannover, Hannover, 1991, no.52, pp.34-5 and back cover). The present example is remarkable in the quality of the overall design on the surface. A further example with animals on the exterior, but each contained within a medallion, and bearing the date 1011/1602-3, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Melikian-Chirvani, A.S.: Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, 8th-18th centuries, London, 1982, no.147, pp.322-6). Another, in the Louvre, has the overall arabesques seen here but without the animals inhabiting them (Bernus-Taylor, Marthe: Les Arts de l'Islam, Paris, 2001, ill.p.97).

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