- 137
A monumental engraved brass jug, Khurasan, 12th Century
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- brass
the body of cylindrical form slightly widening to a flat shoulder, with a tall, tubular neck merged with a long spout, the gently curved handle with a perpendicular grip, on a splayed foot, decorated to the body with various motifs, featuring two entwining doves within an arabesque frame at the centre of a row of alternating floral vases and stylised arabesques, between two calligraphic friezes above and below, the shoulder with running animals within cartouches, the flat shoulder with a band of hastae, the neck engraved with scrolling vegetation and two cartouches containing seated figures
Condition
In overall good condition, some areas of abrasion and scratches to the surface 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 in Kufic:
bi’l-yumn wa al-bara/ka li-sahibihi
‘With Good fortune and Blessing to its owner’
Around the shoulder in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-sa’ada wa al-salama wa al-shafa’a wa al-sa’a wa al-ni’ma wa al-‘afiya wa al-raha wa al-rahma wa al-nusra wa al-baqa li-sahibihi
‘Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness and Well-being and (Prophet’s) Intercession and (God’s) Favour and Health and Ease and (God’s) Mercy and Victory and Long-life to its owner’
Around the body in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-sa’ada wa al-salama wa al-shafa’a wa al-shukra wa al-kar[a]/ma wa al-ni’ma wa al-‘afiya wa al-raha wa al-rahma wa al-nusra wa al-nasira wa al-baqa li-sahibihi
‘Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness and Well-being and (Prophet’s) Intercession and Gratitude and Generosity and (God’s) Favour and Health and Ease and (God’s) Mercy and Victory and giving Victory and Long-life to its owner’
Around the body in Kufic:
bi’l-yumn wa al-baraka wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa’ada wa al-shafa’a wa al-shakira wa al-shukra wa al-karama wa al-ni’ma wa al-‘afiya wa al-raha wa al-rahma wa al-nusra wa al-nasira wa al-tamma wa al-qana’a wa a li-sahibihi
‘With Good fortune and Blessing and Wealth and Well-being and Happiness and (Prophet’s) Intercession and Gratefulness and Gratitude and Generosity and (God’s) Favour and Health and Ease and (God’s) Mercy and Victory and giving Victory and Plenitude and Contentment and (sic) to its owner’
Around the neck in Kufic:
bi’l-yumn wa al-bara/ka li-sahibihi
‘With Good fortune and Blessing to its owner’
Around the shoulder in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-sa’ada wa al-salama wa al-shafa’a wa al-sa’a wa al-ni’ma wa al-‘afiya wa al-raha wa al-rahma wa al-nusra wa al-baqa li-sahibihi
‘Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness and Well-being and (Prophet’s) Intercession and (God’s) Favour and Health and Ease and (God’s) Mercy and Victory and Long-life to its owner’
Around the body in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-sa’ada wa al-salama wa al-shafa’a wa al-shukra wa al-kar[a]/ma wa al-ni’ma wa al-‘afiya wa al-raha wa al-rahma wa al-nusra wa al-nasira wa al-baqa li-sahibihi
‘Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness and Well-being and (Prophet’s) Intercession and Gratitude and Generosity and (God’s) Favour and Health and Ease and (God’s) Mercy and Victory and giving Victory and Long-life to its owner’
Around the body in Kufic:
bi’l-yumn wa al-baraka wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa’ada wa al-shafa’a wa al-shakira wa al-shukra wa al-karama wa al-ni’ma wa al-‘afiya wa al-raha wa al-rahma wa al-nusra wa al-nasira wa al-tamma wa al-qana’a wa a li-sahibihi
‘With Good fortune and Blessing and Wealth and Well-being and Happiness and (Prophet’s) Intercession and Gratefulness and Gratitude and Generosity and (God’s) Favour and Health and Ease and (God’s) Mercy and Victory and giving Victory and Plenitude and Contentment and (sic) to its owner’
This jug stands out for its impressive size and weight. Of a characteristic form and decorated with a set of motifs found on other metalwork pieces from Khurasan such as inscriptions written in human-headed naskh script, animals running against a foliate ground, and curvilinear arabesque designs, this jug presents a monumental example of twelfth-century metalwork production in Khurasan.