A Safavid Pierced Steel Plaque and gilt mount, signed Muhammad Reza, Persia, Isfahan, second half 17th century

the main panel of lobed ovoid form with a broad border with traces of gilding, the centre finely pierced with an elegant inscription in thuluth script with the maker's name signed below, amid interlacing spiralling vines issuing leaves and flowerheads, laid on a gilt copper rectangular panel with plain steel spandrels

In good overall condition, slight loss to centre of pierced panel with associated restoration, slight rubbing of gilding to panel, spandrels with 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

Qur'an, surah al-Ahqaf (XLVI), verse 13:

Lo! Those who say: our Lord is God, and thereafter walk aright, there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.

The Maker's name Muhammad Reza is likely to be Muhammad Reza al-Imami who contributed the inscriptions to various important monuments in Isfahan and Mashad during the second half of the seventeenth century. These inscribed Qu'ran verses were crafted by the most talented masters of calligraphy and were used to adorn the doors of important monuments and mausoleums. Other recorded inscriptions that bear his name exist in Isfahan, Qazvin and Qom, dated between 1634-5 and 1707-8. The wide chronological span of the dated examples raises the question of whether there were two craftsmen of that name. The present example relates to another pierced-steel plaque with gilt mount of identical dimensions and style in a U.K. private collection which is likely to have come from the same structure (see Melikian-Chirvani, S., Le Chant du Monde, L'Art de L'Iran Safavide, 1501-1736, Paris, 2007, p.262-3).