A Safavid cast brass bucket, Persia, late 16th/ early 17th century

of squat baluster form with a narrow foot and cast hinged handle with foliate openwork crown, the body engraved with calligraphic cartouches against an arabesque ground bordered by narrow palmette and calligraphic bands, the foot with monumental arcades of palmettes with pendant palmette terminals

intact, surface patination with rubbing concentrated around the belly of the body, 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

Round the shoulder:
Parts of a Persian ghazal about the beloved going to the bathhouse.

Round the body in cartouches:
Persian couplets about the pail.
(For similar couplets see: A.S. Melikian-Chirvani, Le bronze Iranien, Paris, 1973, pp. 106-07).

The profuse formal decoration is typical of Safavid metalwork from the late-sixteenth century onwards. The pail form dates back at least to the late Timurid period (Melikian-Chirvani op. cit., p.256, no.115.). A Safavid pail of similar date and origin is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Melikian-Chirvani 1982, pp.305-7, no.135).