- 142
A large Mamluk tinned-copper dish, Egypt, circa 1500
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- steel
of shallow circular form, with cusped rim on short foot, the interior decorated with a central blazon ringed by naskh calligraphy surrounded by interlacing geometric design, exterior with ownership inscription
Condition
The copper is rubbed throughout the surface, affecting especially the areas of the rim, the cavetto and the blazon, minor dents consistent with its age, 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
In the centre:
‘One of what was made for the high excellency al-Sayfi (Sayf al-Din) of the barracks of Zamamiyyah (?)’
Mayer lists two 'Jan Balats', both with identical blazons (the same as on this piece):
1) Janbalat b. Yashmak: with a biography and record of a copper basin which he dates ‘between 901 and Rabi’ II 903’; and a copper plate ‘between Rabi’ ii 903 and Rabi’ II 904’ (L.A. Mayer, Saracenic Heraldry, Oxford, 1933, pp.127-9).
2) Janbalat: no biography (the footnote states: ‘Perhaps identical with the preceding one’) and the record of a copper dish (ibid., pp.129-30).
Although the text on the present example is not similar to the examples listed by Mayer, it is likely that this piece was made for the same patron before he was given various posts, and the blazon possibly added later in his life.
On the exterior wall:
‘For the Noble Sayyid ‘Abd al-Rahman’
‘The son of the Judge of [all] judges Suraj al-Din son of Jarib (?)’
‘One of what was made for the Amir, the Judge of [all] judges, ‘Abd al-Qadir son of
‘Abd al-Rahman’
A tughra:
‘The son of the noble Sayyid ‘Abd al-Qadir’
‘Muhammad Mustafa’
The two tughras:
‘Its owner ‘Ayashah the wife of Hajj Ibrahim Yusuf, the money changer/paymaster (al-sarraf), the year 1162 (1748-9)’
‘The needy, Muhammad the rice-seller (al-razzaz)’
In the centre:
‘One of what was made for the high excellency al-Sayfi (Sayf al-Din) of the barracks of Zamamiyyah (?)’
Mayer lists two 'Jan Balats', both with identical blazons (the same as on this piece):
1) Janbalat b. Yashmak: with a biography and record of a copper basin which he dates ‘between 901 and Rabi’ II 903’; and a copper plate ‘between Rabi’ ii 903 and Rabi’ II 904’ (L.A. Mayer, Saracenic Heraldry, Oxford, 1933, pp.127-9).
2) Janbalat: no biography (the footnote states: ‘Perhaps identical with the preceding one’) and the record of a copper dish (ibid., pp.129-30).
Although the text on the present example is not similar to the examples listed by Mayer, it is likely that this piece was made for the same patron before he was given various posts, and the blazon possibly added later in his life.
On the exterior wall:
‘For the Noble Sayyid ‘Abd al-Rahman’
‘The son of the Judge of [all] judges Suraj al-Din son of Jarib (?)’
‘One of what was made for the Amir, the Judge of [all] judges, ‘Abd al-Qadir son of
‘Abd al-Rahman’
A tughra:
‘The son of the noble Sayyid ‘Abd al-Qadir’
‘Muhammad Mustafa’
The two tughras:
‘Its owner ‘Ayashah the wife of Hajj Ibrahim Yusuf, the money changer/paymaster (al-sarraf), the year 1162 (1748-9)’
‘The needy, Muhammad the rice-seller (al-razzaz)’