- 20
An Ayyubid silver-inlaid brass ewer, Mosul, Syria or Jazira, 13th century
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- brass and silver inlaid
- 39.5cm.
made of beaten sheet metal, of bulbous form tapering downwards towards the foot which spreads at the bottom, with concave decorated base, the shoulder with raised scalloped collar below the tall slightly flaring cylindrical neck, applied strap handle with perched bird thumb-rest and straight spout, engraved and inlaid with silver, comprising multiple bands containing roundels with foliate designs on the body, with pseudo-calligraphy interspersed with roundels containing figures on the shoulder, the neck with a calligraphic band and stylised foliate motifs
Condition
In overall good condition, some patination and oxidisation to surface consistent with age, very few minor silver inlay pieces 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 neck in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa’ada
‘Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Well being and Happiness’
Around the body: possibly repetition of two or three letters, undeciphered.
The shape of this ewer is particularly noteworthy and rare. A related example in the Nuhad Es-Said Collection, made for Abu'l-Qasim Mahmud Ibn Sanjar Shah, Mosul, first half thirteenth century, helps to attribute the present ewer to the same place and period (Allan 1982, no. 6, pp.54-57). James Allen originates this form to the Fatimid period, notably to a group of three-footed, waisted and angular ewers, an example of which is in the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo (inv. no. 242461), with an inscription suggesting a Tulunid or early Fatimid date (ibid, p.57).
Around the neck in cursive:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa’ada
‘Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Well being and Happiness’
Around the body: possibly repetition of two or three letters, undeciphered.
The shape of this ewer is particularly noteworthy and rare. A related example in the Nuhad Es-Said Collection, made for Abu'l-Qasim Mahmud Ibn Sanjar Shah, Mosul, first half thirteenth century, helps to attribute the present ewer to the same place and period (Allan 1982, no. 6, pp.54-57). James Allen originates this form to the Fatimid period, notably to a group of three-footed, waisted and angular ewers, an example of which is in the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo (inv. no. 242461), with an inscription suggesting a Tulunid or early Fatimid date (ibid, p.57).