, Iran, late 16th or 17th century, with various calligraphic cartouches, 36cm wide x 18cm high
Provenance: Purchased by the late J.B. da Silva (1918-2003) from Claude Reed, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, 31st April 1985, for ￡100.00, and by family descent. No receipt but itemised in collection notes.
Inscriptions translate approximately as:
'O you, who has understanding in the world, Endeavour to be in the company of those of taste Lift the cover from the bowl So that [your] companion may eat the food.'
For objects with a similar quatrain (poet unidentified), see A.S. Melikian-Chirvani, Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World 8-18th centuries, London, 1982, cat 134a, pp. 304-5 (with variation in one word) and dated to circa 1590-1600, and cat 145, pp. 320-21 (identical text) dated to late 16th-early 17th century. 'God, Make the end laudable! [And] avert sudden calamities!' The first verse is from a couplet by the poet Sa di and is common on objects, including a cover in the V&A (A.S. Melikian-Chirvani, Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World 8-18th centuries, London, 1982, cat 145, pp. 320-21).
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Condition Report:
over polished with loss of tinning
base extensively scratched
minor knocks and dents
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