An Ayyubid or Mamluk Glass Sprinkler Bottle, Egypt or Syria, 13th century

the globular body flattened on two sides, the long tapering neck ending in a small mouth, decorated with a frieze of red inscriptions across the body

some accumulation of dirt and minro abrasions to the spout, 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

'izz li-mawlana al-malik al-'adil .... al-'alim (?) al-fadil... 'azza nasrahu

'Glory to our Lord, the Just King, the Just .... The Learned (?) ... the Distinguished .... May his victory be glorified'

This is a rare and unusual example of Mamluk glass. From the few datable examples that are recorded, the use of blue- or manganese-coloured glass would seem to span the later thirteenth and fourteenth centuries (Ward 1998, p.37). Unusually, however, this flask is not composed of a transparent blue glass as used on the other examples, but has a thick layer of transparent glass underneath which is a layer of blue. Because of the narrow neck, it is not possible to assess the nature of this blue colouring, but the technique is clearly not that of the other blue pieces of Mamluk glass and suggests that it was made in a workshop unfamiliar with the technical innovation to produce blue glass.