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拍品專文
Michael Spink's recent contribution on early Iranian metalwork in the Khalili Collection draws together the corpus of trays of this type, revealing several distinct subgroups (Michael Spink, Bronzes, Brasses, and Silver of the Islamic Lands, Oxford, 2022). Broadly, they can be divided into rectangular examples with octagonal depressions and those which, like our present lot, are square with a stellar-shaped depression in the middle. Archaeological as well as stylistyic evidence indicates that these were made in the eastern Islamic world: in the collection of the Musée de Louvre, Paris, is one example believed to have been excavated in Ghazna (acc.no.AA 61) and two more excavated in Herat (acc.nos.MAO 498 and OA 6479).
In terms of decoration, these trays combine elements from several examples. The 'infinite knot' motif which appears in the four corners of the base in the interior also appear on the sloped interior sides of a tray in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (EA1974.9). However, though the Oxford example has a tightly-interwoven central roundel, the roundels which appear on our trays are closer to one in the Keir Collection (Géza Fehérvári, Islamic Metalwork, London, 1976, no.77, p.72). However, the style of calligraphy around the rim is most similar to one of the examples in the Khalili Collection, which like our trays has broad ascending letters and v-shaped foliate motifs to the corners (Michael Spink et al., Brasses, Bronze, and Silvers of the Islamic Lands, Oxford, 2022, p.298, no.213). The same motif, though somewhat rubbed, appears on the rectangular tray excavated in Herat mentioned above (acc.no.MAO 498).
The example in the Khalili collection is one of a small number of similar trays which have an inscription associating them with a particular personality, in that case a certain Shir Malik ibn Zayd, identified with the epithets dad beg (one in charge of justice), Abu'l-Khazin (father of the treasurer) and Husam al-Dawlah (the sword of the kingdom). Though the individual has not been identified, these titles suggest that he was in the service of one of the Turkic dynasties which arose in Central and South Asia in the 12th and 13th centuries, such as the Ghaznavids or the Ghurids.
Though these trays often survive singly, it is unusual to have a pair. A possible parallel may be found in the two square trays, both heavily corroded, which were purchased together by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, in 1951 (acc.nos.181-1951 and 188-1953). Though the exact function of these trays is unknown, with Michael Spink speculating that they 'were of ceremonial significance', the appearance of a pair such as this adds a further piece of information to this otherwise poorly understood group.
In terms of decoration, these trays combine elements from several examples. The 'infinite knot' motif which appears in the four corners of the base in the interior also appear on the sloped interior sides of a tray in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (EA1974.9). However, though the Oxford example has a tightly-interwoven central roundel, the roundels which appear on our trays are closer to one in the Keir Collection (Géza Fehérvári, Islamic Metalwork, London, 1976, no.77, p.72). However, the style of calligraphy around the rim is most similar to one of the examples in the Khalili Collection, which like our trays has broad ascending letters and v-shaped foliate motifs to the corners (Michael Spink et al., Brasses, Bronze, and Silvers of the Islamic Lands, Oxford, 2022, p.298, no.213). The same motif, though somewhat rubbed, appears on the rectangular tray excavated in Herat mentioned above (acc.no.MAO 498).
The example in the Khalili collection is one of a small number of similar trays which have an inscription associating them with a particular personality, in that case a certain Shir Malik ibn Zayd, identified with the epithets dad beg (one in charge of justice), Abu'l-Khazin (father of the treasurer) and Husam al-Dawlah (the sword of the kingdom). Though the individual has not been identified, these titles suggest that he was in the service of one of the Turkic dynasties which arose in Central and South Asia in the 12th and 13th centuries, such as the Ghaznavids or the Ghurids.
Though these trays often survive singly, it is unusual to have a pair. A possible parallel may be found in the two square trays, both heavily corroded, which were purchased together by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, in 1951 (acc.nos.181-1951 and 188-1953). Though the exact function of these trays is unknown, with Michael Spink speculating that they 'were of ceremonial significance', the appearance of a pair such as this adds a further piece of information to this otherwise poorly understood group.