A SILVER-INLAID FIGURAL FARS BRASS BOWL
Western Iran, 14th century

Of compressed rounded shape, resting on a gently upward-curved base, with inverted sloping sides, narrow shoulders and reinforced circular rim, the decoration on the exterior engraved, inlaid in silver, and articulated in two horizontal registers, the largest band featuring oval epigraphic cartouches with thuluth script alternating with figural roundels of riders on horseback, all set against a ground of spiralling foliated vines, around the base a band of hanging cusped palmettes in-filled with floral sprays, around the rim a frieze of stylised interlocking vegetal meanders, the base engraved with two later-added ownership marks, 17.5cm diam.