A Rare Mamluk Steel Mirror, Syria, 15th Century

of disc form engraved with concentric designs comprising a central geometrical roundel filled with interlace surrounded by twelve radial palmettes each with a calligraphic cartouche, within a wide chain pattern border, the attached cylindrical handle containing a rattle, two pierced openings on either side of the juncture of the plate and the shaft

pitting and patination consistent with age, 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."

inscriptions
Repetition of a call to God to bless the Prophet Muhammad, and his family.

Mirrors of the Mamluk period rarely come to auction and there are few in Western institutional and private collections. The last one at auction sold in these rooms, 18 October 2001, lot 113. A number remain in the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, and a gold- and silver-inlaid example is in the Topkapi Palace (Du Ry 1971, p.149). A further example in the Topkapi Palace bears the same distinctive two pierced holes in the steel plate (TKS 2/1792) and is tentatively attributed to Anatolia, 13th century (see The Anatolian Civilizations, vol. III, Istanbul, 1983, p.71). 

The central roundel with interlaced designs on the present example relates to illuminated ornament in Mamluk Qur'ans of the 14th-15th century. Compare, for instance, the double frontispiece of the celebrated Qur'an in the National Library, Cairo, no.54 (see Atil 1081, no. 4, pp.36-37 and p.29).