A LARGE TINNED COPPER BOWL
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Possibly Samarkand or Bukhara, Central Asia, late 18th - 19th century

Of deep hemispherical shape, resting on a short splayed foot, with reinforced rim, the exterior divided into two major decorative registers, a calligraphic one below the rim with a continuous nasta'liq inscription naming the Twelve Shi'a Imams set against a scrolling rosette spray, and another around the body engraved with circular medallions interlocked with cusped cartouches filled with vegetal trellis, palmettes and arabesque panels, around the base a fretwork band with a blend of floral and geometric motifs, the interior with two inventory stickers Yacob's Gallery no. 1395B, 26cm diam. and 10cm high.