A fine and rare Cut Glass Footed Bowl, Persia, 9th-10th century

of hemispherical form carved in the "bevelled" technique with three large palmettes with open centres and scrolled ends embellished with horizontal cuts, resting on a tripod foot with further linear cuts

clean arched break with repair running through the body visible in catalogue illustration, surface pitting, patination and iridesence consistent with long-term burial, surface recently stabilised and consolidated by professional conservator, 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."

This elegant complete bowl, made of clear glass with a green tint, has acquired a light sheen of iridescence. It is decorated in the so-called "bevelled" technique, deeply carved so that the designs stand out in dramatic relief.

The superior quality of this bowl makes it rank among the best examples known in the world. In terms of design and style, it can be compared to the bowl now in the National Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar, inv. no. GL 019, height 8.5cm, diameter 10cm. (published: Louisiana Revy, Art from the World of Islam, 8th-18th Century, volume 27, no. 3, March 1987, p. 54, cat. no. 16; From Cordoba to Samarqand, Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Musée du Louvre, Paris, 2006, pp. 70-71), and the bowl now in the al-Sabah Collection, Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, Kuwait National Museum, Kuwait, inv. no. LNS 113 KG, height 4.2cm., diameter 13.5cm. (published: M. Kunz, 3000 Jahre Glaskunst von der Antike bis zum Jugendstil, Kunst Museum, Luzern, 1981; S. Carboni, Glass from Islamic Lands, The al-Sabah Collection, London 2001, no. 19; S. Carboni, Glass of the Sultans, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2001, no. 81). For a third outstanding bowl, though fragmentary and made of emerald green cut glass, see the Corning Museum of Glass, NY, inv. no. 55.1.136 (published: S. Carboni and D. Whitehouse, Glass of the Sultans, New York, 2001, pl. 93, p. 188).

Two further bowls of significant quality made of clear glass, both incomplete, are in the British Museum, London (inv. no. 1964 10-12 1), and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no. 8228). Our bowl is the only one among this group of six to have a footed base.