Lot 258: A CAIRO WARE SILVER AND COPPER INLAID BRASS CALLIGRAPHIC VESSEL, 20TH CENTURY

A globular Cairo-ware vessel in the Mamluk Revival style, crafted from a copper alloy (brass) with silver and copper inlay. The vessel is designed with a bulbous body, a short upright cylindrical neck, and a slightly recessed circular foot. The exterior surface is densely decorated with engraving and mixed-metal inlay techniques. The neck features a band of interlaced geometric knotwork punctuated by small circular medallions. A narrow border of geometric fretwork runs around the shoulder of the vessel. The main body is decorated with four large, lobed cartouches containing bold inscriptions in Thuluth script, executed in silver inlay. These inscriptions consist of standard Arabic benedictory phrases: Al-Izz (Glory), wa al-Iqbal (and Prosperity), wa al-Dawla (and Fortune), and wa al-Sa’ada (and Happiness). The background of these cartouches is filled with finely engraved foliate arabesques. Between the primary cartouches are almond-shaped medallions containing intricate foliate scrolls, while the lower section features smaller pendant medallions with calligraphic fragments and interlacing Solomon’s knot motifs. The foot is finished with a simple band of interlaced scrollwork. The underside of the base bears a modern barcode inventory sticker with the text 59571 – 13.

H: 22cm