A Silver-Inlaid Cast Brass Casket, Khurasan, 12th century

of rectangular form with hinged coffered lid resting on four shaped feet, decorated with silver-inlaid arabesque roundels surrounded by stylised flowerheads, the lid rim with a calligraphic band, more silver-inlaid inscriptions within cartouches on the lid, later added bud finial

In overall fairly good condition, with some surface patination and abrasion, replacement finial, 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

On the lid, in Kufic twice:

bi'l-yumn wa al-bara[ka]

'With Good-fortune and Blessing'

In cursive:

al-'izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawa/la wa al-sa'ad/a wa al-salama wa al-ni'ma wa al-birr/ wa al-'afiya wa al

'Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness and Well-being and [God's] Grace and Piety and Health and'

Around the rim in Kufic:

bi'l-yumn/wa al-baraka wa al-birr

'With Good-fortune and Blessing and Piety'

Followed by repeats of al-birr (Piety) and occasionally undeciphered words.

The design of this casket, with its geometric inlays carefully positioned in a symmetrical way, is typical of twelfth-century Khurasan. When compared with two other caskets from the Hashem Khosrovani Collection sold in these rooms, 16 October 1997, lots 6 and 10, the present casket is simpler, yet with the same quiet grandeur. The arabesque-like medallions which cover its body are particularly appealing and are reminiscent of the astrological medallions with which such caskets are often illustrated.

The form of the casket can be compared with other examples, particularly to a casket formerly in the Heeramaneck Collection, New York (Rice 1958, plate VI). Also, a casket in the Linden-Museum, Stuttgart, has similar projecting knops on the corners of the casket above each foot (Stuttgart 1993, p.88, Abb.87).