A finely formed and exceptionally well-preserved Timurid kashkul (dervish beggar’s bowl), crafted from hammered copper and retaining extensive traces of its original tinning. The elegant boat-shaped body rises to two pronounced finials cast in the form of stylised dragon or feline heads—an iconic feature of high-quality Timurid metalwork.
Encircling the rim is a boldly engraved inscription in fluid naskh, invoking blessings and naming the Twelve Imams, a feature that marks this vessel as both devotional and ceremonial in nature. Below the inscription runs a band of cross-hatching and geometric ornament. The underside presents a faceted panel, typical of Timurid kashkul morphology.
The interior shows a soft, time-worn patina consistent with age, while the exterior remains crisp, the calligraphy and details beautifully preserved. Few Timurid kashkuls survive with such complete inscriptions and figural finials, making this an important and rare example of 15th-century Iranian metalwork associated with Sufi use and Shiʿi devotional culture.
L: 31cm
