A Kashan lustre pottery bowl, Persia, circa 1200

of truncated conical form with straight flaring sides on a high foot, decorated in overglaze lustre with a band of kufic in the centre repeating the phrase al-baqa wa set in a reserve-decorated cartouche with attached palmette pendants, the white cavetto with a band of cursive script and a further band of script painted in reserve around the rim, the back with a band of leaves

ex-Kawachi Collection, Japan

intact and in overall very good condition, hairline crack to the rim extending into the cavetto, 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
Around the rim, reserved against lustre:

ey ray-e to sal o mah azordan-e man
faregh ze man o shad be-gham khordan-e man
gofti nakonam ba to degar bad ahdi
in niz nakardan-e to bar garden-e man

‘Oh you, whose will it is to hurt me for years and months,
Who are free from me and glad at my anguish,
You vowed [not to] break your promise again,
It is I who have caused this breach.’

negah-dar bada jahan afarin
be-har ja keh bashad khodavand-e in
fi jumadi al-akhir sittami’a (?)

‘May the Creator of the world protect
The owner of this [bowl] wherever he may be.
In Jumadi al-Akhir six hundred (?) (February-March 1204?)'

Around the wall in lustre:

ey ray-e to sal o mah azordan-e man
faregh ze man o shad be-gham khordan-e man
gofti nakonam ba to degar bad ahdi
in niz nakardan-e to bar garden-e man

‘Oh you, whose will it is to hurt me for years and months,
Who are free from me and glad at my anguish,
You vowed [not to] break your promise again,
It is I who have caused this breach.’

negah-dar bada jahan afarin
be-har ja keh bashad khodavand-e in

‘May the Creator of the world protect
The owner of this [bowl] wherever he may be’

‘izz baqa o shadi
az to mabad khali

‘Glory, long life and Joy
May they not be free from you’

The Kufic in the centre, possibly, repeat of: al-baqa wa ‘ Long-life and...’