A late 20^th century Persian (Iranian) silver twin handled tray, Isfahan circa 1995 by Seyyed Hassan Jouzdani (b.1928, d.c. 2022)

Post-Pahlavi. Of rectangular form with rounded corners raised upon four cast and chased foliate scroll feet, the twin handles of chased foliate scrolls. The field centre with finely chased monabbat-kari and engraved ghalam zani decoration of a scene inspired by The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, with a central female figure reaching to hold the head of a man who has transformed into a wine bottle, he a Sáki (a maid or manservant who pours wine), below her stand her cup the stem formed as a bird, all reserved with various figures enjoying libations with long necked bottles and amorous embraces, all against trees and a mosque in the background, the field otherwise with nightingales and foliage as well as peony arabesques. The ovolo edge with chased various figural scenes, such as village life with animals, hunting on horseback, courtly Safavid scenes with musicians and dancers, each separated by trees. Marked to the field edge with mark جوزدانی standard mark 900 and town mark of Isfahan.

Length – 50.8 cm / 20 inches

Weight – 1608 grams / 51.7 ozt

Born in Isfahan in 1928, Jouzdani began study to work silver at age 14, operating independently since at least the 1970’s. Found on a variety of wares it appears the Jouzdani enterprise also acted as a retailer for other Persian silver including examples of Tabriz type Persepolis wares. A Mahmoud Jouzdani currently operates in Chaharbagh Abbasi Street, Isfahan.

Purchased by the vendor from Jouzdani in 1995.