A TINNED COPPER BOWL WITH ANIMAL DECORATION
Iran, 17th century

Of deep rounded shape, resting on a plain convex base, with a gently everted circular rim, the exterior engraved with three overlapping decorative bands including interlocking arches around the base; cusped and rectangular cartouches in-filled with split palmette sprays, arabesques, and animals against spiraling vines in the middle; and a continuous epigraphic cartouche with nasta'liq inscriptions with the names of the Fourteen Innocents including the Prophet, his daughter Fatima, and the Twelve Imams of Shi'ism below the rim, 8.2cm high and 22.5cm diam.