- 17
A silver and copper-inlaid high-spouted brass ewer, Khurasan, late 12th century
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- silver inlaid bronze
- 39cm.
constructed of sheet metal, beaten, engraved and inlaid, of characteristic form with cylindrical vertically-ribbed body tapering upwards and supported on a spreading waisted foot, the flattened shoulder joined to the neck by a sunburst moulding with crescent motifs, the narrow cylindrical neck decorated with repoussé lions with further repoussé work on the faceted spout, square-section arched handle fixed below mouth, decorated with engraved arabesques in shaped cartouches and calligraphic bands on the neck, foot and body which follow the contours of the ribbed flanges, the shoulder with a radial band of cursive script on a ground of engraved scrolls, the handle with rope motif
Condition
Some patination and oxidisation to surface consistent with age, some of original silver and copper inlay sections missing, 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 shoulder, in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa’ada wa al-‘inaya wa al-faragha wa al-raha wa al-‘afiya wa al-bikra wa al-tamma wa al-ra’ya (?)
‘Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Well-being and Happiness and Sympathy and Inner calm and Ease and Health and Novelty (?) and Entirety and ….’
On the neck, in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal (?) wa al-‘inaya wa al-kira[ma]
‘Glory and Prosperity (?) and Sympathy and Generosity’
Around the neck, in Kufic:
al-baraka wa …. wa al-salama
‘Blessing and … and Well-being’
The two bands on the body and around the base in Kufic bear similar benedictory text, including:
bi’l-yumn wa al-baraka wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa’ada was al-tamma wa al-shifa’a wa al-shakira
‘With Good-fortune and Blessing and Wealth and Well-being and Happiness and Entirety and [Prophet’s] Intercession and Gratitude’
For a similar ewer in the Keir collection, see Féhérvári 1976, pp.62-3, plate 16, no.53.
Around the shoulder, in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa’ada wa al-‘inaya wa al-faragha wa al-raha wa al-‘afiya wa al-bikra wa al-tamma wa al-ra’ya (?)
‘Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Well-being and Happiness and Sympathy and Inner calm and Ease and Health and Novelty (?) and Entirety and ….’
On the neck, in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal (?) wa al-‘inaya wa al-kira[ma]
‘Glory and Prosperity (?) and Sympathy and Generosity’
Around the neck, in Kufic:
al-baraka wa …. wa al-salama
‘Blessing and … and Well-being’
The two bands on the body and around the base in Kufic bear similar benedictory text, including:
bi’l-yumn wa al-baraka wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa’ada was al-tamma wa al-shifa’a wa al-shakira
‘With Good-fortune and Blessing and Wealth and Well-being and Happiness and Entirety and [Prophet’s] Intercession and Gratitude’
For a similar ewer in the Keir collection, see Féhérvári 1976, pp.62-3, plate 16, no.53.