A VENETO-SARACENIC SILVER-INLAID BRASS LIDDED BOWL Possibly Mamluk Syria, 15th - 16th century Of rounded shape, with a flat base, the matching lid of hemispherical shape with sloping rim and an open circular handle at the top, the exterior decorated with an intricate composition of incised palmettes, stylised flower heads and arabesque designs, and silver-inlaid interlaced geometric cartouches and knot work, the silver inlay possibly later, 22cm diam.     A similar lidded bowl part of the Charles Gillot’s (1853 - 1903) collection was successfully sold at Christie’s Paris, 4 March 2008, lot 29. This was acquired by the collector from a dealer in Paris on 20th April 1899, demonstrating the interest for and the presence of Veneto-Saracenic metalwork in Western capitals already since the end of the 19th century.