Lot 104
Near East, Persia, Khurasan, Ghaznavid Dynasty, ca. 12th century CE. A masterful relic of Persian metalwork, this 12th-century brass bucket from Khurasan gleams with the memory of empire, its surface alive with intricate decoration and a ghostly green patina born of centuries. Forged from leaded brass and darkened by time, the vessel displays a robust ovoid form with gently swelling sides, tapering at the base to a flaring foot, and crowned with a thick hinged handle capped by elegant knops and lobed terminals. Around the body and upper register, the vessel is richly ornamented with a continuous frieze of engraved vegetal scrolls, palmettes, and interlocking arabesques. Encircling the upper shoulder is a band of cursive inscription in naskh or Kufic script, now softened by wear but likely bearing blessings or ownership marks, a common feature of Islamic domestic and ceremonial metalwork from this period. Size with handle down: 8.4" W x 7.5" H (21.3 cm x 19 cm); with handle up: 8.4" W x 11.4" H (21.3 cm x 29 cm)
Below, roundels filled with stylized floral motifs echo the rhythms of mosque stucco and textile design, conjuring a sense of sacred geometry transposed to the realm of the everyday.
Such buckets, known in Arabic as sitila, often served practical or ceremonial functions - for drawing water, bathing, or perhaps ablutions before prayer. Their presence in courtly settings is evidenced by examples in the collections of the British Museum and the David Collection in Copenhagen, each similarly adorned with finely chased decoration and poetic inscriptions extolling virtue, kingship, or divine protection.
This vessel reflects the flourishing of Islamic metalwork under the Ghaznavids, who ruled eastern Iran and northern India and fostered a cosmopolitan court culture where Persian, Arabic, and Turkic traditions mingled. Metal artisans in cities like Nishapur and Herat developed sophisticated techniques of inlay, chasing, and casting, often creating wares both useful and poetic in expression. The hammered brass here, once likely tinned or silvered, still retains patches of luster beneath the green patina and earthy accretions. A testament to both technical prowess and aesthetic harmony, this bucket carries with it the layered legacy of a world both functional and ornate - an object once touched daily, now quietly monumental.
Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s; ex-London, UK collection, 1980s
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#194962
- Condition: Weathering to surface commensurate with age as shown, but otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining detail and rich patina throughout.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |