IRAN, 17TH CENTURY

It is extremely unusual for a Safavid tinned copper bowl to survive with its lid. In form this matches closely a bowl published by Melikian-Chirvani (A.S. Melikian-Chirvani, Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World. 8-18th Centuries, London, 1982, no.155, pp.336-37). That is dated to 1678-79, but is said by Melikian-Chirvani to be a version of a bowl commissioned by Husayn Chalabi in the 16th century. A ceramic version of the same form was offered in these Rooms, 8 October 2015, lot 42. A painting of Musicians in a Garden from the Tuhfat al-Ahrar, attributed to Bukhara and dated 1558, shows an attendant holding forth a covered tas of similar form to ours (Laurence Binyon, J.V.S.Wilkinson and Basil Gray, Persian Miniature Painting, New York, 1971 reprint, pl.LXXVIII-A, no.112). It is unclear as to whether the vessel that is proffered in the painting is metal or ceramic, but it certainly shows the form in use from the 16th century.

The centre of the lid of this bowl has an ownership inscription on a panel that appears to have been added in. It bears the name Amir Nizam 'Ala al-Dawla who may refer to Muhammad Rahim Khan 'Ala a-Dawla (d. AH 1299/1882-83 AD), a holder of high offices under Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar.