A Silver-Inlaid Brass Bowl with Sphinxes, Khurasan, 12th Century

of deep rounded form on a short, splayed foot, with a plain interior and central free-standing florette, the exterior decorated with silver-inlaid sphinxes and griffins between drop motifs decorated with scrollwork, between two bands of inscriptions, silver-inlaid with an engraved vineleaf background

In overall fairly good condition, with some silver-inlay missing and minor cracks to surface, some with subsequent repair, patination to interior, and discoloration, 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

In cursive:

 

al-'izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-sa'ada wa al-salama wa al-ni'ma wa al-'afiya wa al-karama wa al-nusra wa al-qudra wa al-quwwa wa al-rahma wa al-raha wa rutba (?) wa al-ziyada wa al-raf'a wa al-basta wa al-tamkin wa al-ta'id wa al-baqa li-sahibihi.

 

'Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness and Well-being and [God's] Grace and Health and Generosity and Victory and Power and Strength and Mercy and Ease and Dignity and Abundance and Superiority and Excellence and Authority and [God's] Support and Long-life to its owner'

 

bi'l-yumn wa al-baraka wa al-dawala wa al-surur wa al-sa'ada wa al-salama wa al-ni'ma wa al-'afiya wa al-karama wa al-nusra wa al-ta'id wa al-tamkin wa al-baqa wa al-baqa (sic) li-sahibihi.

 

'With Good-fortune and Blessing and Wealth and Joy and Happiness and Well-being and [God's] Grace and Health and Generosity and Victory and [God's] Support and Excellence and Long-life (sic) to its owner'