IRAN, CIRCA 1600

Details

A SAFAVID ENGRAVED BRASS KETTLE
Iran, circa 1600
Of voluptuous drop shape, the loop handle spanning from one shoulder to the other across the top, an inlet aperture in the top of the handle, a curving spout rising from the front terminating in a dragon's head, the shoulder engraved with a band of fine nasta'liq against spiralling vine on a hatched ground within cartouches, a continuous band of meandering arabesque and floral vine above, the top with panels of arabesques alternating with roundels containing hares, the handle with floral motifs, the aperture with an animal on each side, a cartouche with the owner's name under the spout, cover and foot replaced,
10 5/8in. (27cm.) high

Literature

Niewöhner, Elke: Islamische Kunst, Kestner-Museum Hannover, Hannover, 1991, pl.52, pp.34-5 and back cover illustration.

Exhibited

Kestner Museum, Hannover, circa 1990 to 2002

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 cartouche under the spout reads:
sahibahu (its owner is) Shuja' al-Din Mahmud

The Persian verses around the shoulder concern the ewer, describing it with both the Arabic ibriq and the Persian aftabeh. The final couplet translates:
"When the moon (i.e.mistress) held [this] ewer in her hand
Hundreds like Christ and Khizr washed their hands of their life"

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