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

Of compressed rounded shape, on a flattened plain base, with narrow shoulders and a flared cylindrical neck ending in a thick circular rim, the exterior engraved with three horizontal decorative bands, at the top a nasta'liq calligraphic band with the salawat and the names of the Shi'a Imams against scrolling vines, in the middle several rows of intertwined split palmettes with small clovers finials, and towards the base a frieze of cusped cartouches filled with vegetal motifs and arrow-shaped terminals, two engraved ownership inscriptions on the inside and outside of the neck, 13.5cm diam. and 9.5cm high.