A VENETO-SARACENIC BRASS BOWL Possibly Mamluk Syria, late 15th - early 16th Century  Of hemispherical form with concave base, the exterior finely worked with concentric bands of intricate interlaced geometric and arabesque designs, scrolling vegetal tendrils, knotwork, and four roundels two of which with European jousting shield inlaid with a gilt wheel and gilt dots, the background filled with a black compound, the interior plain, 13.5cm diam. Another Veneto-Saracenic bowl similar to ours, identified as produced in Mamluk Syria and presenting the same vegetal decoration on the base and roundels with European jousting shields, is part of the British Museum (BM) collection, inv. no. 1970,4-2,1. For an in-depth discussion on the BM bowl, please see Sylvia Auld, Renaissance Venice, Islam and Mahmud the Kurd, 2004, p.180. A similar bowl with lid successfully sold at Christie's London, 26 October 2017, lot 65.