- 151
A Kashan ewer painted with stylised vegetal decoration and inscriptions, Persia, early 13th Century
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Fritware
of baluster form with a tall cylindrical neck and arched handle on a slightly splayed foot, painted in cobalt blue and black on a white ground under a transparent glaze, with an inscriptive band near the mouth, the neck with a scrolling vine motif cascading downwards on the body between bands of calligraphy
Condition
In general good condition, intact, some irridescence to surface and craquelure consistent with age, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
inscriptions
Around the neck:
al-‘izz al-da’im wa al-iqbal
‘Perpetual glory and prosperity,
Followed by the repeat of a word, possibly: iqbal ‘Prosperity
’On the vertical bands on the body, a Persian quatrain, followed by a benedictory Persian couplet:
ey del ze tarab hich neshan mi-bini?
vaz dide be-juz gohar feshan mi-bini?
dar arezuy-e dami khosham ta key ziam
mardom hame anand ke to shan mi-bini
‘O, heart! Do you see any sign of joy?
And do you see anything fall from the eyes, but pearls?
I am happy in the hope of you for as long as I live
People are all, as you see them’
negah-dar bada jahan afarin
be-har ja ki bashad khodavand-e in
‘May the Creator of the World protect
The owner of this [bottle] wherever he may be’
For a similar Persian couplet, see, Ernst J. Grube, Cobalt and Lustre, The Nasser D. Khalil Collection of Islamic Art, vol. IX, 1994, nos nos. 214, 219, 268, 275, 276, 277, 281 and 283. Also, Plotnick, cat 76, inscriptions around the inner base.
Around the neck:
al-‘izz al-da’im wa al-iqbal
‘Perpetual glory and prosperity,
Followed by the repeat of a word, possibly: iqbal ‘Prosperity
’On the vertical bands on the body, a Persian quatrain, followed by a benedictory Persian couplet:
ey del ze tarab hich neshan mi-bini?
vaz dide be-juz gohar feshan mi-bini?
dar arezuy-e dami khosham ta key ziam
mardom hame anand ke to shan mi-bini
‘O, heart! Do you see any sign of joy?
And do you see anything fall from the eyes, but pearls?
I am happy in the hope of you for as long as I live
People are all, as you see them’
negah-dar bada jahan afarin
be-har ja ki bashad khodavand-e in
‘May the Creator of the World protect
The owner of this [bottle] wherever he may be’
For a similar Persian couplet, see, Ernst J. Grube, Cobalt and Lustre, The Nasser D. Khalil Collection of Islamic Art, vol. IX, 1994, nos nos. 214, 219, 268, 275, 276, 277, 281 and 283. Also, Plotnick, cat 76, inscriptions around the inner base.