A rare Kashan lustre figure of a hawk, Persia, 13th Century

sculpted as a free-standing bird with two straight legs and the tip of tail balancing on a small base, decorated with a brown lustre over an opacified glaze with short scrolls on body and stylised feathers on wings, with a medallion to front pectoral enclosing a seated, haloed figure

In fair condition, broken and restored, with some associated overpainting, glaze on wings bright and golden, 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."

Amongst the large number of human and animal pottery figures produced at Kashan there is a small groups of birds, of which the finest example is the monumental hawk, which stands almost half a metre in height, in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (inv. no. C1-1967) (Watson 1985, p.120, no.99). The present piece would appear to be a miniature version of the same model.