A SAFAVID BRASS OVERLAID FLASK
A SAFAVID BRASS OVERLAID FLASK

IRAN, 17TH CENTURY

Details
A SAFAVID BRASS OVERLAID FLASK
IRAN, 17TH CENTURY
Of drop shape rising through a tubular neck to flaring mouth with constricted opening, on short spreading trumpet foot, the zinc body overlaid with vertical brass ribs, the mouth with an engraved register of cypress trees alternated with elongated palmettes within a cusped arcade, areas of rubbing, some minor losses
10¾in. (27.4cm.) high

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Andrew Butler-Wheelhouse
Andrew Butler-Wheelhouse

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Lot Essay

The form of the present bottle is very similar to that of 17th century pottery vessels, especially those attributed to the reign of Shah 'Abbas II by Yolande Crowe (Persia and China, Safavid Blue and White Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1501-1738, London, 2002, esp. nos.226-241, pp.148-153). The visual separation of the top of this flask from the design on the rest of the body, combined with the constricted mouth, are both very reminiscent of the qalian bodies among the above vessels. The period of Shah 'Abbas II (1642-1666 AD) thus seems the most probable date of manufacture.

A very similar bottle was sold in these Rooms, 10 October 2006, lot 27. Whereas that example had rosettes of silver sheet at the top and bottom of the bottle, the bottle offered here is instead decorated with bands of engraving.

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