Lot 502 Dα

An Islamic mortar with animal motifs

Yellowish gold cast bronze with engraved decoration and natural patina, verdigris in the indented areas. Cylindrical body with horizontal upper and flaring lower rim. The central moulding flanked above and below by bands of ornament: Game animals in four cartouches below and calligraphy in four cartouches above, each interspersed with birds in small round medallions. The upper and lower rims with identical calligraphic cartouches, the foot engraved with a braided band. The base slightly rounded due to use, minor breakages to the rim. H 13.5, D 16 cm, weight c. 4.8 kg.
Attributed to Khorasan, North Western Afghanistan/Iran, 12th - 14th C.