A Rare Raqqa Pottery Figure of a Ram, Ayyubid Syria, First Half 13th Century

moulded with a flat base, the body naturalistically modelled with powerful haunches, a fat tail, a fold of loose skin at the neck and an animated expression with curved horns and head thrust forward, painted with black scrolls to the body and details to the legs, neck and face under a transparent turquoise alkaline glaze

intact, glaze heavily iridised, 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.
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A very similar Raqqa animal figure of a ram decorated in black under a turquoise glaze is in the Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo, see Soustiel, J., La Céramique Islamique, Fribourg, 1985, no. 97. A Raqqa model of a bull is in the V&A (inv. No. 36-1980) and another of a cow and a calf decorated in the same colours is published in the Unity of Islamic Art, exhibition in Riyadh, 1985, no.113.