AN EXTREMELY RARE FOOTED BOWL (ALFABEGUER), SOUTHERN SPAIN, 12TH/13TH CENTURY

cast in two sections with chased and punched decoration, of deep rounded form, a splayed foot beneath a broad rounded ridge, a pointed flange around the upper body, the rim surmounted by a tall reticulated frieze of an arcaded design composed of paired verticals with scroll terminals, each enclosing a stylized foliate motif with traces of red and black substance and extending to a leaf-form finial running along the top of the arcade alternately with trilobed elements, one spacing with a tall trilobed design, encircling bands variously of stylized interlacing strapwork, dotted circle motifs and scrolling foliage, the body with three roundels of interlacing vegetal scrolls forming a four-armed motif

This item is in good condition. Significant loss to the engraved areas, most probably due to rubbing and natural wear. Very minor dents and nicks to the foot. Marks of oxidation throughout, especially to the interior. and central band. Marks of darkening and reddening throughout. 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 most unusual form is without parallel in recorded metalwork. However, the form does appear in near-contemporary and later pottery from Manises, where it is well documented. This metalwork example would appear to be the ancestor to these pottery examples. Perhaps the earliest of the pottery pieces is in the Museo Archaeologico Nazionale, Cagliari, inv. no. 141902, and was recovered from a shipwreck (Venice 1993, p.339, no.197). It has a form of calligraphic and pseudo-calligraphic decoration typical of the pottery of the fifteenth century such as appears on lots 294 and 295 in this sale.

The same footed bowl form is finished with a reticulated collar of circles alternating with waisted posts with knop-form finials, a simpler design than on this metalwork example presumably necessitated by the limitations of the ceramic medium. This same form appears on another pottery example of the fifteenth century in the Museu de Ceràmica, Barcelona (Gonzalez Marti 1944, p.237, fig.300). Its decoration has been described as 'Persian' (Ray 2000, p.244). A further fifteenth-century example is in the collection of Lord Rothschild, on loan to Waddesdon Manor (Gonzalez Marti 1944, p.238, fig.301). Two seventeenth-century examples in the Victoria and Albert Museum are flat-bottomed but show the continuity of this type of vessel (Ray 2000, pp. 243-4, nos.416-17).

The function of all of these pieces is suggested by the term usually applied to them, alfabeguer, which translates as 'pot for basil'. Basil was used as a room freshener in Spain from the medieval period onwards. It is likely, though, that these vessels were put to a more general use as jardinières.