- 71
A monumental Samanid calligraphic pottery bowl, Central Asia, 10th century
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description
of truncated conical form on a low foot, painted in manganese black with a central kufic inscription and further kufic inscriptions below the rim
Condition
breaks and repairs with museum-style restoration, some plaster infill plainly visible, glaze still glassy in the interior, areas of glaze loss on the underside, 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."
"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
Possibly read:
kull [a]l-amal a'ud min 'amal wa al-[m]a'siya a'zam min jahl
'All expectations will be returned to [one's] deed and disobedience (of God) is the greatest of ignorance'
A fine example of one of the most celebrated groups of early Islamic pottery.
The bold spacing of the inscriptions, crisply projected on a pristine white ground, recalls Arthur Lane's lyrical description of the "stark and moving beauty" of these iconic wares. (Lane 1947, p.18)