A Safavid Polychrome Bottle, Persia, second half 17th Century

the bulbous body with slender elongated neck on a short foot, the slip painting with central decoration comprising lobed cartouches with blue, black and red floral motifs

overall in good condition considering age. some cracking to the polychrome, a couple of minor abrasions to the foot, 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 is a rare form in Safavid pottery and would appear to evolve around the middle of the seventeenth century. Examples in blue and white are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (Crowe 2002, pp.148-151, nos.226, 229 and 235). The last of these (inv. no. 2491-1876), is a bottle with a related band around the upper neck and carries a similar pseudo-Chinese mark on its base. An example with red-slip decoration as well as blue under the glaze is in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg (V. Loukonine, and A. Ivanov, Persian Lost Treasures, English language re-print, London, 2003, pp.201 & 203, no.230). The use of lobed cartouches on this bottle is a familiar feature on the slip-decorated pieces of this date. A kalian in the al-Sabah Collection bears similar cartouches around its shoulder (Watson 2004, p.472, Cat. U.26).