Lot 506 Dα

An Islamic mortar with animal motifs

Gold toned cast bronze with engraved decoration and natural patina, some verdigris in the indentations. Cylindrical mortar with horizontal upper rim and flaring lower rim. The central moulding flanked above and below by two bands of ornament: Four cartouches with game animals below and four cartouches with calligraphy above, each interspersed with birds in small round medallions. The lower rim with a band of braided ornament, the upper with birds in four medallions. The base slightly rounded due to use, one small breakage to the rim. H 12.7, D 17.9 cm, weight c. 4.6 kg.
Attributed to Khorasan, Northern Afghanistan/Iran, 12th - 14th C.