Lot Essay
A bowl with a very similar decorative scheme is in the al-Sabah collection (acc.no. LNS 31 C; Oliver Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, London, 2004, cat.O.17, p.359)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTION
A KASHAN LUSTRE POTTERY BOWL
CENTRAL IRAN, EARLY 13TH CENTURY
Details
A KASHAN LUSTRE POTTERY BOWL
CENTRAL IRAN, EARLY 13TH CENTURY
Of conical form, the white ground decorated under the glaze in dark lustre and cobalt-blue, with a central roundel containing a stellar interlace, the interstices including avian and floral motifs on lustre scrolling ground, surrounded by two bands of naskh
8 ½in. (21.6cm.) diam.
CENTRAL IRAN, EARLY 13TH CENTURY
Of conical form, the white ground decorated under the glaze in dark lustre and cobalt-blue, with a central roundel containing a stellar interlace, the interstices including avian and floral motifs on lustre scrolling ground, surrounded by two bands of naskh
8 ½in. (21.6cm.) diam.
Provenance
Excavated Kashan, 1933
Engraved
In the outer border, a Persian quatrain hamvara tu-ra dawlat u ‘izz afzun bad / iqbal-i tu bugzashta az hadd birun bad / ta harch … / ay sadr-i jahan tu-ra ba-jan afzun bad ‘May your good fortune and glory increase, May your success exceed all limits, So that whatever … O Master of the World, add to your life.’
And the couplet nigahdar bada jahan-afarin /ba-har ja ki bashad khudavand-i in '‘Protect, Creator of the World, The owner of this wherever he may be.’
In the inner border on a white ground, Persian verses and benedictions: ba-mal ghurra mabash / ki mal ab-i ravan ast u zindigi bad ‘Take no pride in wealth, For wealth is flowing water and life wind.’;
izz baqa shadi, ‘Glory, long life, joy’;
ba charkh-i gardish- kar-i yaksan matalab / ba khur zamana ‘adl-i sultan matalab / ... azar-i dil hich musalman matalab ‘Ask not the wheel of the fate for consistent treatment, Ask not from base fortune the justice of a sultan, … Do not seek harm to any Muslim’s heart.’ (This quatrain is attributed to Abu Sa'id Abu'l-Khayr (d.1049))
And the couplet nigahdar bada jahan-afarin /ba-har ja ki bashad khudavand-i in '‘Protect, Creator of the World, The owner of this wherever he may be.’
In the inner border on a white ground, Persian verses and benedictions: ba-mal ghurra mabash / ki mal ab-i ravan ast u zindigi bad ‘Take no pride in wealth, For wealth is flowing water and life wind.’;
izz baqa shadi, ‘Glory, long life, joy’;
ba charkh-i gardish- kar-i yaksan matalab / ba khur zamana ‘adl-i sultan matalab / ... azar-i dil hich musalman matalab ‘Ask not the wheel of the fate for consistent treatment, Ask not from base fortune the justice of a sultan, … Do not seek harm to any Muslim’s heart.’ (This quatrain is attributed to Abu Sa'id Abu'l-Khayr (d.1049))
Further Details
Some countries prohibit or restrict the purchase and/or import of Iranian-origin property. Bidders must familiarise themselves with any laws or shipping restrictions that apply to them before bidding on these lots. For example, the USA prohibits dealings in and import of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” (such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments) without an appropriate licence. Christie’s has a general OFAC licence which, subject to compliance with certain conditions, would enable a buyer to import this type of lot into the USA. If you intend to use Christie’s licence, please contact us for further information before you bid.
Brought to you by
Sara Plumbly
Director, Head of Department
Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this
A bowl with a very similar decorative scheme is in the al-Sabah collection (acc.no. LNS 31 C; Oliver Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, London, 2004, cat.O.17, p.359)