- 186
A fine Khurasan silver-inlaid inkwell, Eastern Persia, 13th century
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- silver inlaid brass
of cylindrical form applied with three palmette mounts with heart-shaped handles, with silver-inlaid decoration, the top band featuring musicians and acrobats, the lower band with a frieze of hunters on horseback, interior rim of well with frieze of quadrupeds, underside with hunter on horseback in a stellar medallion surrounded by a frieze of quadrupeds
Condition
In fair condition, the surface with some encrustations and missing silver-inlay, small scuffs to external edges and surface, 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
'Glory and Prosperity and Happiness and Well being and Wealth and Joy'
This inkwell is exemplary of the 'animated script' format in which the letters have been so abstracted that they take on the form of human figures. In this case, each letter is formed by a figure's gesture, either playing an instrument, holding a drink or in motion. The twelfth and thirteenth centuries represented the height of this fashion, a style that was probably influenced by the imagery presented by the ninth-century author al-Jahiz's waqwaq tree, a fantastic tree bearing human or animal figures as fruit on its branches. It is rare and notable that so much of the original silver inlay should remain on the surface and underside.
'Glory and Prosperity and Happiness and Well being and Wealth and Joy'
This inkwell is exemplary of the 'animated script' format in which the letters have been so abstracted that they take on the form of human figures. In this case, each letter is formed by a figure's gesture, either playing an instrument, holding a drink or in motion. The twelfth and thirteenth centuries represented the height of this fashion, a style that was probably influenced by the imagery presented by the ninth-century author al-Jahiz's waqwaq tree, a fantastic tree bearing human or animal figures as fruit on its branches. It is rare and notable that so much of the original silver inlay should remain on the surface and underside.