IRAN, LATE 16TH CENTURY

Details

A SAFAVID ENGRAVED BRASS KETTLE
IRAN, LATE 16TH CENTURY
Of particularly elegant voluptuous drop-form on high spreading cylindrical foot, the loop handle straddling the top with upper inlet (cover missing), rising curving tapering tubular spout terminating in stylized dragon's head, with band of engraved arabesque decoration at the shoulder and just above the foot, a few dents and small repairs to body
11½in. (29.2cm.) high

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

A Safavid engraved brass kettle, from the collection of Dr. Amir Pakzad, was sold through these Rooms 29 April 2003, lot 120; (see also Elke Niewöhner, Islamische Kunst, Kestner-Museum Hannover, Hannover, 1991, no.52, pp.34-5 and back cover). The present example is remarkable for the restraint of its decoration, lacking even the simple engraved band found on the Pakzad kettle. Another example, whose surface was almost completely covered with engraved decoration, was sold in these Rooms 27 April 2004, lot 92. A further example in the Victoria and Albert Museum, with animals engraved on the exterior, bears the date 1011/1602-3 (Assadullah Souren Melikian-Chirvani, Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, 8th-18th Centuries, London, 1982, no.147, pp.322-6).

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