Lot 38
  • 38

A Kashan Cup painted with medallions and inscriptions, Persia, early 13th century

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Fritware
of sub-globular form with short neck and applied annular handle with thumb-piece on a slightly everted foot, painted in cobalt blue and black on white ground under a transparent glaze, with a central frieze of diamond floral medallions flanked by a cascading vinal and flower motif, inscribed in reserve in Arabic to the rim, inscribed in Persian and Arabic to the body, necklace of small flowers on inner rim

Exhibited

Perpetual Glory, Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007.

Literature

O. Pancaroglu, Perpetual Glory, Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007, p.104, no.61

Condition

Overall good condition, restored from fragments and associated overpainting, craquelure, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

inscriptions

Around the rim:
A suggested reading and translation, in Arabic:
al-ufuq al-ghiram lana ghiram
tafakhar 'azm tara bihi al-kalam
nasim al-rayh min anfas ruhi
'alayka ka-ma 'ala salma salami
na'am qad qila [tul al-'ahd maksabi
fa-tala al-'ahd wa ankath al-dhumam

'Verily, our passion is beyond power,
Words fly away carrying pride of will
A breeze of air from the breath of my soul,
I greet you as I greet Salma.
Indeed, it is said that [lasting pledge is my gain,
Time goes on and (my) security is lost].'

For a similar quatrain see, Ernst J. Grube, Cobalt and Lustre, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, vol. IX, 1994, nos 212 and 214.

Around the body, a Persian quatrain:
ey del ze tarab hich neshan mi-bini?
vaz dide be-juz gohar feshan mi-bini?
dar arezuy-e dami khosham ta key ziam
mardom hame anand ke to shan mi-bini

'O, heart! Do you see any sign of joy?
And do you see anything fall from the eyes but pearls?
I am happy in the hope of you for as long as I live
People are all as you see them.'

For a similar quatrain see, Ernst J. Grube, Cobalt and Lustre, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, vol. IX, 1994, no. 284.

An Arabic couplet:
al-khayr yabqa wa an tala al-zaman bihi
wa al-sharr akhbath ma aw'it min zadi

'The good remains no matter how much time passes
And evil is more wicked than you could take.'

Thi proverb is quoted in Kalila wa Dimna