A Nasrid brass goblet signed Yahya ibn Yusuf al-s(a)igh, Spain, 14th century

the body cast, hammered and engraved, of compressed globular form decorated with spiral flutes engraved on alternate flutes with split-palmette scrolls, the octagonal flaring neck with a palmette frieze between bands of naskh script, the underside of the body with a further calligraphic band, the cast foot of waisted hexagonal form engraved on each face with vegetal scrolls, the base of the foot with a six-pointed interlaced star and incised maker's name

ex-Collection Jean-Paul Croisier, Geneva

Trésors de l'Islam, Geneva, 1985, pl.295, p.284
Institute du Monde Arabe, Paris (fifteen-year loan from the Croisier Collection)

Published: Trésors de l'Islam, Geneva, 1985, pl.295, p.284

some dents and minor cracks to the belly and underside of the body with associated small repairs, surface rubbing with pitting and patination allover, 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

The upper band:
al'izza al-da'ima wa'l-iqbal al-'izza al-da'ima wa'l-da'ima...wa'l-da'ima
'Eternal Glory and Prosperity, Eternal Glory, Eternal... Eternal'

The middle band:
al-baraka al-kamila al-ni'ma al-shamila wa'l-'izza al-da'ima
'Perfect Benediction, Total Favour and Eternal Glory'

The lower band:
al-baraka al-kamila wa'l-ni'ma al-shamila wa'l-izz
'Perfect Benediction, Total Favour and Glory'

On the base:
Yahya ibn Yusuf al-s(a)igh
'Yahya son of Yusuf the goldsmith (?)'

The turban-like main body has a particular elegance which is emphasized by a design of spiralling bands engraved with arabesques. The weight of the cast foot lends the vessel a solidity, which belies its small size, offset by refined touches such as the beautiful six-pointed star engraved on the base. The two blank shield-form cartouches on the neck suggest that it may originally have been intended to bear handles though there is no evidence that they were ever attached.

Metalwork from Islamic Spain is very rare, and extant metalwork from the Nasrid period (A.D. 1230-1492) amounts to only four other known examples and none of them is signed.

This goblet is the only recorded example of signed metalwork from the Nasrid period.

The other four examples of Nasrid metalwork are:

1. A Vase in the Treasury of the Church of San Marco, Rome (published: Eredita' dell'Islam. Arte Islamica in Italia, Venice, 1993, no.38)

2. A Bucket in the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, Madrid (published: J.D. Dodds, ed., Al-Andalus. The Art of Islamic Spain, New York, 1992, no.59).

2. A Lidded Box in the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, Madrid (unpublished).

4. An Inkwell in the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar (published: Louisiana Revy, Art from the World of Islam 8th- 18th Century, volume 27, no.3, March 1987, p.102, cat. no.174).