15th C. Samarkand Timurid Dynasty Bowl, TL Tested

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Exceptional Day 1: Antiquities & Asian Art

By Artemis Gallery

Sep 26, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-09-26 10:00:00 2019-09-26 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Day 1: Antiquities & Asian Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-day-1-antiquities-asian-art-4437
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional, museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Viking, Russian, Near Eastern, as well as Asian Art from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and India. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Western Asia, Samarkand region (sometimes Samarqand, Transoxiana), Timurid Dynasty, ca. 15th century CE. An incredible, well preserved ceramic vessel glazed with gorgeous symmetrical motifs in bright colors. Time has given the surface a shimmering iridescence, especially around the upper half of the vessel, that only contributes to the incredible beauty of the piece. It stands on a diminutive disc-shaped foot, then steps outward to a flared, steep body with a thin rim and a concave base. The base color is pearly white. Cobalt blue vertical strips with moss green scrollwork decorate the interior sides, while sparing moss green scrollwork decorates the exterior. Four wider moss green vertical stripes divide the interior into quadrants; each of these has a light sgraffito motif of Kufic script flowing down its surface into elongated lines that nearly meet in the center of the bowl. Blue and green fruit-like motifs are painted in tondo between each of these green lines. Kufic was the earliest form of Arabic calligraphy, used as the main script to copy the Qur'an until the 11th century, kept alive in artwork after that. Size: 6" W x 2.75" H (15.2 cm x 7 cm)
  
  Timur (Tamerlane) founded the Timurid Dynasty around 1370 CE, making his capital in Samarkand. He quickly conquered vast swaths of Central Asia, Iran, Iraq, southern Russia, and even parts of the Indian subcontinent. This vast empire defeated the Mamluks and the Ottomans, but Timur died before his plans to invade China came to fruition. Aside from his brutal conquests, Timur created a legacy of outstanding Islamic artwork by bringing artists from all over his empire to Samarkand. The later Timurid capital of Herat continued the tradition and the pottery and metalwork made there was traded along the Silk Road and highly valued beyond the boundaries of the empire.
  
  See a Timurid bowl of similar form that sold at Christie's London in 2013 for GBP 9375 (approximately USD 16,000): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-timurid-pottery-bowl-north-iran-or-5722596-details.aspx
  
  This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
  
  Provenance: private California, USA collection, moved from Germany in 1997
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #148833

  Condition

  Intact with very light abrasion and wear commensurate with age. Some faint silvery and rainbow iridescence on surface, especially around the rim. One small drill hole on underside from TL test.
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