Lot 118
118
A SAFAVID ENGRAVED TINNED COPPER BASIN
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A SAFAVID ENGRAVED TINNED COPPER BASIN

IRAN, LATE 16TH OR EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details
A SAFAVID ENGRAVED TINNED COPPER BASIN
Iran, late 16th or early 17th century
Of shallow widely rounded form with flaring mouth, the exterior engraved with a band of meandering chain design dividing alternating cartouches and part cartouches containing interlaced arabesques of scrolling vine around animals, a band of inscription cartouches alternating with arabesque cartouches above, the rim with interlaced arabesque panels, rubbed, many remains of original black lac backgrounds to the decoration, traces of lacquer varnish
15in. (38.2cm.) diam.
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 owner's name in one of the cartouches around the mouth appears to have been written over the original inscription. It now reads: its owner [is] Qurashi Banu (Lady), daughter of 'Ali Akbar. The owner's name of Rajab 'Ali is engraved on the underside.

The nasta'liq inscriptions contain three Persian benedictory couplets. The first is from Sa'di; the third from Hatefi. For other uses of the same inscriptions on Safavid metalwork please see Melikian-Chirvani, A.S.: Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, 8th-18th centuries, London, 1982, p.309 (beginning "O Lord") and p.277, (beginning "O God").

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