Lot 103A
Central Asia, northeastern Iran or Afghanistan, Samanid period, Khorasan, ca. 9th to 11th century CE. A superb hammered brass ewer from the Samanid period, an elegant vessel once used for pouring water within the domestic sphere. The form is distinguished by its cylindrical body, slightly concave in profile, rising from a slanting undecorated base to a tall cylindrical neck and wide flaring mouth. The handle, cast separately, is attached by riveting and soldering, its sinuous curve braced by an ingenious twisted wire support that flattens into a decorative belt midway, wrapping securely around the neck. This practical reinforcement ensured stability, as the vessel was constructed from four separate sheets - base, body, shoulder, and neck - painstakingly hammered, interlocked, and soldered together, with seams that otherwise could have presented points of weakness. Size: 7.2" L x 6.9" W x 13" H (18.3 cm x 17.5 cm x 33 cm)
The body and shoulder are embellished with finely incised decoration, including bands of vegetal motifs and calligraphic inscriptions in Kufic script, their rhythmic geometry evoking both the sophistication and the spiritual refinement of early Islamic art. Traces of wear and rich green patination testify to the vessel's long history and burial environment, the surface now alive with a mottled interplay of coppery tones and encrustation.
Ewers of this type are closely associated with the flourishing metalwork tradition of Samanid Khorasan, where artisans advanced the use of hammered sheet construction and developed a repertoire of ornament that celebrated the interplay of text, geometry, and vegetal scrolls. Examples of comparable form and construction are preserved in the collections of the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, underscoring the rarity and cultural significance of such vessels. This ewer stands as a testament to the ingenuity and artistry of Samanid craftsmen, marrying utility with aesthetic refinement in a work that continues to speak across a millennium.
Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s
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#195733
- Condition: Missing design element at top of handle. Weathering and corrosion surface as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent presentation with rich patina throughout and earthen deposits to interior.
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| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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