- 168
A Kashan underglaze-decorated pottery aquamanile in the form of a bull, Persia, early 13th century
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- ceramic
composed of fritware, made in a mould in the shape of a bull, painted in underglaze cobalt blue and black with stylised birds amidst foliate motifs, with an inscriptive band around body, short spout on back, with handle leading to head with tall curved horns, mouth designed as large circular opening, on four straight legs
Condition
The body with craquelure along the glaze and subsequent encrustation and discoloration, pitting throughout and some minor iridescence visible, some parts appear to have been broken and restored, notably the handle above the body, one of the horns, one side of body with break lines apparent with associated restoration, some legs also broken and restored as well as the base (break line down centre), the external edges abraded, particularly around spouts, handle and the back, colours generally good, two drills holes to underside of base (possibly indicating that it was once tested, unfortunately we do not have these results), 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:
‘I wish you were a place of repose’, a Persian verse from a quatrain of ‘Umar Khayyam repeated.
A large number of human and zoomorphic pottery figures were made in Syria and Persia, particularly in Raqqa and Kashan, during the twelfth and thirteenth century. The presence of openings on the back and through the muzzle of this delicate bull figurine points towards a Persian attribution (Gibson 2012, p.28). The combination of different tones of blue and black, combined with dense scrolls and dotted patterns, recalls a group of plates attributed to Kashan, probably Sultanabad (Watson 2004, p.373).
‘I wish you were a place of repose’, a Persian verse from a quatrain of ‘Umar Khayyam repeated.
A large number of human and zoomorphic pottery figures were made in Syria and Persia, particularly in Raqqa and Kashan, during the twelfth and thirteenth century. The presence of openings on the back and through the muzzle of this delicate bull figurine points towards a Persian attribution (Gibson 2012, p.28). The combination of different tones of blue and black, combined with dense scrolls and dotted patterns, recalls a group of plates attributed to Kashan, probably Sultanabad (Watson 2004, p.373).
For similar examples of ceramic bulls standing on four cylindrical legs on a square base see inv.no LOAN:ADES.8 in the Victoria and Albert Museum; Watson 1985, pp.117-8; inv.no. EA1992.106 in the Ashmolean Museum and Grube 1976, p.233.