A Fatimid clear cut-glass bottle, Egypt or Syria, 10th-11th century

of cylindrical form on a short spreading foot, with a narrow neck and everted rim, gently sloping shoulders leading to the body decorated with two relief-cut curved and etched vine scrolls with upward and downward-pointing palmette terminals

In good overall condition, foot and mouth rims slightly chipped, three other small chips to the upper shoulder rim, otherwise good, cut decoration clean and sharp, intact, 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 bottle was produced during the Fatimid period for use as a container for perfume and scented oils. A rock-crystal bottle of similar decoration is found in the Keir Collection, both bottles share the same bevelled palmette scroll around the body (Pinder Wilson, R., in Robinson, B. (ed.), Islamic Art in the Keir Collection, London, 1988, no. R3, pp. 294-295). Rock crystal and cut-relief glass were produced alongside one another from the ninth century onwards. There existed a common repertoire of shapes and designs between cut-glass and rock crystal and it was likely that they were carved in the same workshops by the same craftsmen (Contadini, A., Fatimid Art at the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1998, p.25). A cut-glass bottle of similar form is in the al-Sabah collection illustrated in Carboni 2001, p.129, cat. 2.30f.