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Lot Essay
This well preserved sphere contains its sophisticated suspension system consisting of concentric circular rings attached together. This gimbal device allows the heavy charcoal bowl to remain horizontal at all time when the sphere is handled and provides a mechanism to burn incense or warm hands without harm.
According to Auld's classification, this sphere belongs to her group A which is 'typically late Mamluk' and was probably manufactured in Syria or Egypt for the export to the European market (Renaissance Venice, Islam, and Mahmud the Kurd - a Metalworking Enigma, London, 2004, p.7-9). The decoration of the surface is comparable to that of a sphere in the David Collection attributed to 15th century Syria ( Kjeld von Folsach, Art from the World of Islam in the David Collection, Copenhagen, 2001, p.325, cat.520). Both examples are similarly inlaid with black composition. The presence of an upper band of roundels encompassing a quatrefoil motif, repeating that with larger roundels bordering the join, is unusual however. It can be paralleled with an incense burner in the British Museum (Sylvia Auld, op.cit., p.128, cat.1.28).
For further discussion on inlaid brass spheres, please see lot 156.
According to Auld's classification, this sphere belongs to her group A which is 'typically late Mamluk' and was probably manufactured in Syria or Egypt for the export to the European market (Renaissance Venice, Islam, and Mahmud the Kurd - a Metalworking Enigma, London, 2004, p.7-9). The decoration of the surface is comparable to that of a sphere in the David Collection attributed to 15th century Syria ( Kjeld von Folsach, Art from the World of Islam in the David Collection, Copenhagen, 2001, p.325, cat.520). Both examples are similarly inlaid with black composition. The presence of an upper band of roundels encompassing a quatrefoil motif, repeating that with larger roundels bordering the join, is unusual however. It can be paralleled with an incense burner in the British Museum (Sylvia Auld, op.cit., p.128, cat.1.28).
For further discussion on inlaid brass spheres, please see lot 156.