A SMALL EARLY ISLAMIC SILVER BOWL
Possibly Iran, late 6th - 8th century

Of shallow rounded shape, resting on a circular, gently concave base, with curved cavetto and slightly everted rim, the interior of the cavetto featuring a crown of rosette heads hammered in relief, 13cm diam. and 4cm high.

The shape and style of this bowl constitute the bridge between Pre-Islamic metal vessels and early Islamic ceramic bowls produced in the Iranian territories. The rosette heads are still drenched in Classical influence, reminiscing Achaemenid and Sasanian plates and cups, but the simplicity and stiffness of the design suggest a later period of production, possibly corresponding to the time when Iranian craftsmen were still adjusting to the newly founded Islamic order.