A Rare Timurid Blue and White Bowl, Persia or Central Asia, 15th Century

of deep form with rounded walls on a short foot, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with a central medallion featuring a scrolling lotus flower, the body decorated with lotus flowers on an adjoining leafy scroll, with a band of mountain forms at the rim, the exterior with a similar design of scrolling lotus flowers

In overall good condition, with two drill holes on the foot for hanging, and abrasion to the foot, with minor surface inclusions, 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."

The deep-form seen here decorated with lotus scroll on both the interior and exterior with minor bands of breaking wave and key fret pattern derives from an early Ming blue and white prototype, either from the reign of the Hongwu emperor (r.1368-99) or Xuande emperor (r.1426-35). Two bowls in the British Museum (inv. nos.OA 1947.7-12.180 and OA 1973.7-26.360), illustrate this Chinese prototype, see Harrison-Hall, J., Catalogue of Late Yuan and Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, p.133, nos.4:24 and 4:25. Also, two similar examples from the Timurid period are illustrated in Lentz and Lowry 1989, pp.228 and 229, nos.130 and 131. The rarity of this type of Timurid deep bowl is testified by the fact that no closely comparable example is found in the definitive account of Timurid ceramics Tamerlane's Tableware (Golombek, Mason and Bailey 1996).