- 103
A Khurasan engraved bronze ewer (aftabe), Persia, 11th/12th century
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- bronze
the globular body with tubular, fluted neck and flat rim with stylised bird-head motifs leading towards the fluted handle with pomegranate thumb-piece, engraved with calligraphic panels, centered around a lobed medallion containing a winged woman-headed lioness with tail ending in a dog-head
Condition
The body oxidised with discoloration due to corrosion, subsequently this patina was cleaned and appears as red oxide deposits, with also characteristic green patches, some dents and abrasion to areas such as underside of base, the pomegranate finial slightly bent, interior with visible oxidisation, for further advice on the conservation of this piece, please consult a professional restorer, 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:
‘And perpetual glory … and good turn of fortune and …’
Around the neck in Kufic:
‘With Good-fortune and blessing and good turn of fortune’
On the body:
‘And with good-fortune and blessing and …’
Whereas this shape is recorded from the eighth century, the design, with its inscriptive panels written against scrolling foliage and most notably the woman-headed lioness at the centre, date it to the eleventh/twelfth century. In terms of overall shape, a similar example is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, inv. no. 758-1889 (see Melikian-Chirvani 1982, pp.85-6, no. 19). The main decoration of this ewer focuses on a winged woman-headed lioness, with her tail ending in an open-mouthed stylised dog head. She is wearing a Khurasanian head-dress, further providing clues towards its origin and dating (for a bowl featuring an almost identical design, see Melikian-Chirvani 1982, pp.92-3, no.25).
Around the neck in cursive:
‘And perpetual glory … and good turn of fortune and …’
Around the neck in Kufic:
‘With Good-fortune and blessing and good turn of fortune’
On the body:
‘And with good-fortune and blessing and …’
Whereas this shape is recorded from the eighth century, the design, with its inscriptive panels written against scrolling foliage and most notably the woman-headed lioness at the centre, date it to the eleventh/twelfth century. In terms of overall shape, a similar example is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, inv. no. 758-1889 (see Melikian-Chirvani 1982, pp.85-6, no. 19). The main decoration of this ewer focuses on a winged woman-headed lioness, with her tail ending in an open-mouthed stylised dog head. She is wearing a Khurasanian head-dress, further providing clues towards its origin and dating (for a bowl featuring an almost identical design, see Melikian-Chirvani 1982, pp.92-3, no.25).