FOUR BRONZE MORTARS
Iran, Anatolia and Islamic Spain, 10th - 13th centuries

Comprising four bronze mortars, each of typical cylindrical shape resting on a flat base, one with a flat everted foot, the exterior engraved with oval cartouches of pseudo-Kufic calligraphy in its squared design, on the everted flat rim twelve circular medallions engraved with the Zodiac signs, 22cm diam. and 16.4cm high; another similar, with reinforced base and everted rim, the decoration mostly consisting of vegetal motifs, 22cm diam. and 14cm high; a Khorasani mortar, with two lion head-shaped handles on the sides and protruding drop-shaped decorations on the exterior, 17.5cm diam. and 13cm high; and a smaller mortar, similar to Andalusian 13th-century models, with spiky flanges around the base, with its own pestle, 9cm diam. and 5cm high.

Provenance: The mortar with pseudo-Kufic inscription, Christie's London, 26 Oct 2007, lot 232.