Lot 206
206
A RARE EARLY ISLAMIC BRONZE MORTAR of cylindrical form with slight furrow below the inverted sloping rim, the exterior moulded with six long drop-shaped stepped panels between engraved horizontal lines, each side with a similar applied panel in the form of a highly stylised animal head with a ring in its mouth, probably Egypt 8th/9th century (very slight damage, areas of slight encrustation)

Details
A RARE EARLY ISLAMIC BRONZE MORTAR of cylindrical form with slight furrow below the inverted sloping rim, the exterior moulded with six long drop-shaped stepped panels between engraved horizontal lines, each side with a similar applied panel in the form of a highly stylised animal head with a ring in its mouth, probably Egypt 8th/9th century (very slight damage, areas of slight encrustation)
5 7/8in. (14.9cm.) diam.

Lot Essay

The straight vertical flanges are a feature of the mortar in the early Islamic period. These were replaced by the 'tear-drop' form from the eleventh to twelfth century onwards. A mortar of identical form is in the the Kocabas Collection, Turkey, published Erginsoy, U.: Islam Maden Sanatinin Gelismesi, Istanbul, 1978, pl. 206, pp.425 and 428

More from Islamic

View All
View All