IRAN OR MESOPOTAMIA, 13TH CENTURY

Details

A VERY LARGE ENGRAVED WHITE BRONZE BOWL
IRAN OR MESOPOTAMIA, 13TH CENTURY
Of near-hemispherical form with thickened triangular section rim, the exterior with engraved decoration divided into two major registers, the lower with twelve roundels containing figures representing the Zodiac, connected by interlace, the interstices filled with spiralling arabesque, the upper with large alternating kufic and cursive inscriptions, the vertical terminals often plaited and terminating in human heads, written over spiralling arabesques, separated by roundels, each containing a different geometric interlace pattern, a smaller band around the mouth with cursive inscription separated by frieze of running predators and prey, the interior left plain but for lightly engraved concentric rings, repaired breaks
21¾in. (55cm.) diam.

Provenance

Sold as the "Property of a Gentleman" from a private Swiss Collection, in these Rooms 19 March 1974, lot 60, incorrectly catalogued as "probably from Daghestan, 15th/16th century".

Literature

A.S. Melikian-Chirvani, Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World 8th-18th Centuries, London 1987, fig.45A, p.139.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

The inscriptions are as follows:
Round the rim in cursive:
al-'izz al-da'im al-iqbal al-za'id al-dawla al-baqiya al-salam(?) a , l-ali(?) al-jidd al-baqiya al-salam(?) al-ali(?) al-dawla al-baqiya al-salam(?) al-ali(?) (Perpetual Glory, increasing Prosperity, lasting Wealth, high Complement(?), lasting Good-fortune, high Complement(?) lasting Wealth, high Complement(?)
Round the body in cursive
al-'izz al-da'im al-iqbal al-za'id a l-dwala al-baqiya al-salam(?) , al-ali(?) al-kamila(?) (Perpetual Glory, increasing Prosperity, lasting Wealth, high Complement(?), perfect
Round the body in Kufic
al-'izz al-da'im al- , [u] mr al-salim wa al-iqb , al al-za'id (Perpetual Glory and healthy Life and increasing Prosperity)

Dr Melikian-Chirvani published a detail of this bowl as part of his discussion of the appearance of Eastern Iranian elements in vessels made in Western Iran or even Northern Mesopotamia. He attributed the bowl to "Western Iran (or Northern Mesopotamia?), mid thirteenth century". While the material and many elements of the technique are easily paralleled in vessels made in the Eastern part of the country (Melikian-Chirvani, op.cit., pp.92-99), he picked out the plaited inscription as being a specifically Western feature. This magnificent bowl is an outstanding example of the level of workmanship and complexity of design that was achieved in this medium.

More from Art of The Islamic and Indian Worlds

View All