A rare intact cut glass dish, Persia or possibly Egypt, 9th-10th century

thick-walled, of shallow form with rounded inverted rim, the underside incised with U-shaped cuts, the cuts in the centre forming a snowflake pattern radiating outwards contained within a triple line medallion with further radial cuts to the edges and up the sides, the interior left plain

ex-Japanese private collection

Aichi Prefectural Museum of Ceramics, Japan, 2001

Brilliant Vessels of Ancient Near East - Glass, Metal and Lustre Pottery, Aichi Prefectural Museum of Ceramics, Aichi, Japan, 2001, p.22, no.57

intact with flaky irridescence due to long-term burial
"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 dish also relates to a group of thick-walled cut glass vessels originating in the Kofler Collection and now in the al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait, attributed by Carboni to "perhaps Egypt, 9th-10th century" (Carboni 2001, pp.120-121, nos. 2.20, 2.21 and 2.22).

A markedly similar dish is in the British Museum (inv.no.1966.12-12.1), see Pinder-Wilson, R.H., et al, Masterpieces of Glass, British Museum, London, 1968.