Two small Deccani tinned-brass dishes, India, 16th-17th century

each of shallow rounded form on a low foot, the first with chased decoration of a central roundel within two concentric registers all containing cursive calligraphy on foliate scrolls and a hatched ground, the exterior alternately with eight-pointed star-shaped cartouches of stylized floral motifs on a hatched ground and four-pointed panels of quatrefoil motifs within pairs of stylized leaves on a hatched ground, two friezes of stylized lotus leaves; the second with three lines of cursive calligraphy on a ground of scrolling flowers and foliage, the exterior with eight-lobed cartouches each with a design of a stylized lotus, two friezes of stylized lotus leaves

surface rubbing and patination, overall good condition, 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

The Shi'i Shahada.

Qur'an, suras VI (al-An'am) verse 1; XLVIII (al-Fath), part of verse 4 or 7 (it appears twice in the Qur'an) and IV (al-Nisa') part of verse 84.

Both of these dishes belong to a small group of metal vessels that Zebrowski has confidently attributed to the Deccan (Zebrowski 1997, pp.335-351, nos. 553-558 and 560-562, 566-568). The dating of this group is provided by a few dated pieces such as the dish in the David Collection, Copenhagen, which bears a date of 1591-2 (von Folsach 2001, p. 337, no. 550). It is clear from a dish of this group in the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, dated 1673-4, that the style continued for some time, possibly tending towards shallower bands of script as time went on. The first of the dishes has at the centre of its interior a roundel containing the same text, (Qur'an IV:84), as that found in the interior of a pouring vessel (lot 141) and the interior of a lota in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Zebrowski 1997, p.339, no.556). On all three pieces, the text is chased in such a similar hand as to suggest that they are the work of the same craftsman or workshop.