A SMALL SAFAVID TINNED COPPER BOWL
Iran, 17th - 18th century

Of hemispherical shape, resting on a short splayed foot, with a reinforced circular rim, the exterior engraved with five overlapping decorative bands, below the rim a calligraphic band repeating the names of the Twelve Shi'a Imams and the 14 Innocents, the widest band on the body characterised by a dense grid of interlocking lotus flowers and rosette sprays, the remaining three narrow friezes with split palmette and floral trellis, the centre of the foot marked with later-added ownership inscriptions, 17cm diam. and 7cm high.