A LARGE ENGRAVED BRASS MAMLUK BOWL WITH THE CUPBEARER INSIGNIA
Possibly Egypt or Syria, late 15th century

Of typical rounded shape with a slightly flared profile, resting on a densely engraved flattened base, rising to a short straight circular neck and reinforced rim, the exterior incised and engraved with a multitude of traditional Mamluk motifs including cusped epigraphic cartouches in thuluth script intertwined with lobed rosette-like medallions in-filled with the cupbearer insignia (a wide cup with splayed foot), decorative bands of vegetal sprays and interlaced knotwork set against a ground of thin spirals, the base decorated with a central rosette medallion irradiating wavy S-shaped cartouches alternating geometric grids, vegetal meanderings, split palmette scrolls and floral outbursts, the interior with a large central roundel repeating the cupbearer insignia surrounded by tight intertwined vegetal vines, 30cm diam. and 14.5cm high.

Inscriptions: mimma 'umila bi-rasm al-'ali al-mawlawi al-amiri al-kabiri al-maliki al-makhdumi al-/
'Made for the High, the Lordly, the Great Commander, the Possessor, the Well-Served'

In the State Hermitage Museum collection, there is a large tinned copper bowl (acc. no. IR 2172) attributed to Timurid Iran and dated late 14th - early 15th century which shows a strong degree of similarity with the present bowl. Firstly, the size of the two bowls is almost identical (33cm vs. 30cm diam. and 13.5cm vs. 14.5cm high respectively). Secondly, the decoration in the horizontal registers is laid out in an analogous form, and the widest band repeats the same motif of cusped epigraphic cartouches in thuluth script intertwined with lobed rosette-like medallions. The content of the calligraphic cartouches differs widely, with Persian wishes of good fortune on the Timurid bowl and an ownership status claim in Arabic on the Mamluk example, as the material does. Nevertheless, it is certainly fascinating to note that the overall aesthetic and artistic vocabulary of both bowls seem to match, highlighting the strong affinities and mutual influence the Timurid and Mamluk empires witnessed in the 14th and 15th centuries.