Syrian Pre-Revival Silver-inlaid Calligraphic Brass Bowl

This fine bowl of compressed rounded form which tapers to a wide mouth is incised and inlaid all over with a geometric trellis of six calligraphic cartouches, six-pointed star panels, and other geometric shapes, all infilled withe tendrils and Arabesques, and augmented with silver inlay, all in the manner of 14th century Syrian or Egyptian Islamic metalwork. The form of the vessel itself dates to the 14th century – see Behrens-Abouseif (2001, pp. 156-163) for examples.

However, the bowl dates not from this period and not from the much later ‘Revival’ period of the 19th and early 20th centuries (so-called Cairo Revival-ware) but to the pre-Revival period of the 17th and maybe 18th centuries, when Syria, where this vase was made, was under Ottoman control.

Relatively little metalwork, particularly metalwork as well-made as this example, remains from this period, making this vessel something of a rarity.

The six calligraphic panels, places equidistant around the bowl are all different. The script is in legitimate Arabic but is difficult to read.

The bowl is in fine condition. Close inspection of the surface shows the relative antiquity of the piece in terms of the wear to the metal.