A Rare Indo-Islamic Metal Ewer, Deccan or North India, 15th-16th Century

a squat globular body resting on a short foot with a narrow moulded neck rising to a flanged  foliate mouth, the shoulder with down turned tubular spout, the thin curved handle with faceted thumbpiece, the body decorated with an interlace of split-palmettes against a scroll ground with bands of scrolling vine and calligraphy above and below

pitting and patination, minor indentations and abrasions, areas of loss and splitting to the body with associated repair, 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
al-'izz al-da'im wa al-iqba/l wa al-dawla wa al-sa'a [da]

'Perpetual Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness'

This unusual ewer conflates the typical Khurasanian type with knopped thumbpiece and flanged mouth with the indigenous Indian lota form with globular body. The engraved lattice design and the short spout mark it out as a rare early Indian production with Central Asian borrowings.