- 3114
A BRONZE ARABIC-INSCRIBED BOX AND COVER MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY
Estimate
1,000,000 - 1,500,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
of circular form with straight sides resting on a flat base with a recessed centre, the gently domed cover cast in relief with a central medallion enclosing an Arabic inscription with variations on the name 'Muhammad', referring to the Prophet Muhammad, against a finely punched ground, within an incised border of foliate lotus scrolls, the bronze patinated to a warm coppery-brown colour
Condition
The overall condition is very good with some original pitting on the interior, small nicks along the box edges and slight wear beneath the base.
"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
The inscription reads Muhammad, Ahmad, Mahmud and Hamid, which are variations on the name of the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad is the Prophet's name and Ahmad, Mahmud and Hamid his attributes. These all stem from the same route hamd, 'to praise/extol'.
A box of this type, but with a broader band encircling the roundel with a different inscription, was sold at Christie's London, 11th December 1989, lot 190; a domed box, the inscription medallion framed by raised bands, was sold in these rooms, 30th April 1991, lot 151; and another, with a Zhengde reign mark and of the period, was sold in our London rooms, 28th October 1988, lot 148. Compare also a lobed box with an Arabic inscription in the centre sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 2006, lot 123; a group of vessels for the scholar's desk similarly decorated with an Arabic inscription, illustrated in Sydney L. Moss, Emperor, Scholar, Artisan, Monk, London, 1984, pls. 118-21; a tripod censer with Arabic inscriptions dating it to the Zhengde period (1506-21), sold in our London rooms, 9th June 2004, lot 132; and another tripod censer with Arabic inscriptions from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection, sold in our rooms, 4th April 2012, lot 143.
A box of this type, but with a broader band encircling the roundel with a different inscription, was sold at Christie's London, 11th December 1989, lot 190; a domed box, the inscription medallion framed by raised bands, was sold in these rooms, 30th April 1991, lot 151; and another, with a Zhengde reign mark and of the period, was sold in our London rooms, 28th October 1988, lot 148. Compare also a lobed box with an Arabic inscription in the centre sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 2006, lot 123; a group of vessels for the scholar's desk similarly decorated with an Arabic inscription, illustrated in Sydney L. Moss, Emperor, Scholar, Artisan, Monk, London, 1984, pls. 118-21; a tripod censer with Arabic inscriptions dating it to the Zhengde period (1506-21), sold in our London rooms, 9th June 2004, lot 132; and another tripod censer with Arabic inscriptions from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection, sold in our rooms, 4th April 2012, lot 143.