NORTH-EAST IRAN, 12TH CENTURY

Details

A COBALT-BLUE MOULDED NISHAPUR POTTERY BOWL
NORTH-EAST IRAN, 12TH CENTURY
The body decorated in cobalt-blue glaze, the exterior deeply moulded with figures mounted on horseback, a band of kufic below, the interior plain, a slightly flared rim and splayed foot, repaired breaks
5 ¼in. (13.3cm.) diam.; 4 ¼in. (10.8cm.) high

Provenance

Excavated Rayy, 1928
With Ayoub Rabenou, New York, by 1970

Engraved

... wa'l-dawla wa'l- ... wa'l-ni'ma(?) wa'l- ...'... and wealth and ... and (God's) favour(?) and ...'

Further details

Some countries prohibit or restrict the purchase and/or import of Iranian-origin property. Bidders must familiarise themselves with any laws or shipping restrictions that apply to them before bidding. For example, the USA prohibits dealings in and import of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” (such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments) without an appropriate licence. Christie’s has a general OFAC licence which, subject to compliance with certain conditions, would enable a buyer to import this type of lot into the USA. If you intend to use Christie’s licence, please contact us for further information before you bid.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Sara Plumbly Director, Head of Department

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Lot Essay

The present bowl is a wonderful example of Persian moulded pottery, decorated with a deeply defined band of horsemen. The bowl is very close in subject and design to a bowl depicting a lion hunt which was sold at Sotheby’s London, 8 October 2014 lot 95. Skilled mould makers could produce detailed designs which could be reproduced multiple times by a potter. This is demonstrated by a white moulded bowl in the Sarikhani Collection (I.CE.2164) which is the same design as the Sotheby’s bowl and almost certainly made from the same mould.

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