Estimate: £6,000 - £8,000
Islamic & Indian Art ft. Indian Paintings from the Collection of William & Mildred Archer | 12345
Auction: Islamic Art | Lots 1 to 66 | 12 June at 10am
with rounded sides on a short foot, the interior in low relief and gilded and enamelled in blue, turquoise, red and black with an enthroned prince flanked by attendants, and encircled by figures of a courtesan, lute players and courtiers, elaborate arabesques on the exterior
21.5cm (8 ½in) diameter
Formerly in the collection of Lester Wolf and on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Sotheby’s, Antiquities and Islamic works of Art, 2nd May 1975, lot 357.
Acquired from the above.
Private UK Collection.
Note:
Minai is the technique of decorating ceramics by gilding and painting them with a kind of enamel above the glaze. Following this they are heated again and the enamel fuses to the glaze, creating a spectacular, luxurious and slightly raised effect. The subjects portrayed are often to do with court life, pleasures and occasionally abstract designs are used.
In the case of this bowl, the artist offers us a glimpse into the extraordinary pleasures of court life.