Physical description

Bowl-shaped well with flat base. Moulded decoration in low relief, featuring a linear motif derived from stylised ibex-heads placed above a band of pearl-border which encircles the external circumference of the well.

Two projecting elements now damaged beyond recognition appear either sides of the spouts at the end of the pearl border. Between the spouts is a moulded motif of two arches meeting at a pendant lotus bud. At the rear of the well is a moulded rectangle, originally the base of the now missing handle. At the rear of the well rim are two loops which formed the hinge of the now missing lid. The spouts terminate in a broad flat lotus-bud shaped rim. The rear of the spouts are each covered with perforated plaques. The underside has a small projecting stump and a scar, the sight of the now missing stem.

Patina: Dark olive with earth incrustations

Place of Origin

Khorasan (probably, cast)
Iran (made)

Date

1100-1200 (cast)

Artist/maker

Unknown (made)

Materials and Techniques

Cast brass with decoration moulded and engraved

Dimensions

Height: 5 cm of bowl, Length: 20.4 cm overall, Diameter: 12 cm of bowl

Object history note

Gift of Lt-Col E.H Cobb, O.B.E, 25 October 1954 - Label in well = MAJ E.H. COBB RP539/1017

Found in Malakand Area, N.W. Frontier, India.

Descriptive line

Cast brass. Decoration moulded and engraved.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Melikian-Chirvani, A.S. Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, London:HMSO, 1982, p100. ISBN 0 11 290252 9

Materials

Brass

Techniques

Engraved; Moulded

Categories

Metalwork

Collection

Middle East Section