- 166
A rare Kashan lustre albarello with inscriptions, Persia, Early 13th Century
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- ceramic
of tall cylindrical form with a waisted neck and slightly flaring rim, painted in a golden lustre on an opaque white glaze with inscriptive bands alternating in lustre and reserved in lustre, including to interior of rim, with a band of roundels to the centre containing stylised floral motifs against a background of scrolls, the bottom band with a peacock-eye pattern
Condition
In general good condition, lustre bright, intact, 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 in lustre:
cho bar kas namanad jahan paydar
haman beh ke niki bovad yadgar …
‘Since the world is not permanent for anyone,
Surely it is best that goodness is left to be remembered.
Around the shoulder, reserved against lustre:
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]’
On the body, upper band, in lustre:
mi khastami ke budami peyvasteh
ba to be-morad-e kam-e del be-nshasteh
man chun to degar yar koja khaham yaft
… zarif o ‘aqel o shayesteh
‘I always wanted to be joined
With you, sitting with [my] heart’s desire
How could I find another friend like you
…. elegant, wise and worthy.
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]’
On the body, lower band reserved in lustre, possibly:
…. kam kam mi-didam
zin charkh-e falak modam gham mi-didam
az bi-kasi (?) ….
….. be-dam-e faqr mi-didam
‘…. I saw little satisfaction
I saw constant sorrow from the revolving sphere
Out of being destitute, ….
I saw … trapped in poverty.’
Around the neck in lustre:
cho bar kas namanad jahan paydar
haman beh ke niki bovad yadgar …
‘Since the world is not permanent for anyone,
Surely it is best that goodness is left to be remembered.
Around the shoulder, reserved against lustre:
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]’
On the body, upper band, in lustre:
mi khastami ke budami peyvasteh
ba to be-morad-e kam-e del be-nshasteh
man chun to degar yar koja khaham yaft
… zarif o ‘aqel o shayesteh
‘I always wanted to be joined
With you, sitting with [my] heart’s desire
How could I find another friend like you
…. elegant, wise and worthy.
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]’
On the body, lower band reserved in lustre, possibly:
…. kam kam mi-didam
zin charkh-e falak modam gham mi-didam
az bi-kasi (?) ….
….. be-dam-e faqr mi-didam
‘…. I saw little satisfaction
I saw constant sorrow from the revolving sphere
Out of being destitute, ….
I saw … trapped in poverty.’