A fine Abbasid tin-glazed pottery bowl, Near East, 9th century

with convex flaring sides and everted rim standing on a short foot, the interior with four raised mouldings trailed in slip under the glaze, decorated in cobalt blue in the opacified tin glaze with a central square inscription in foliated kufic, the rim with four copper-green trails running into the well

breaks and cracks with associated repair, touching in along the lines of the breaks, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

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baraka li-sahibihi

'Blessing to its owner'

Pottery of this kind is stated to have been made in Mesopotamia, possibly Basra, in the ninth century, though the majority of extant examples have survived in Iran. Characteristic of this category of ceramic wares, classified as Abbasid, is the finely levigated buff clay body, the creamy tin glaze and the in-glaze cobalt-blue and copper-green decoration. The form, with its elegant profile and true foot-ring is copied directly from the porcellaneous white wares imported from Tang China (see lot 49), but the embellishment of the surface with coloured designs, including Arabic inscriptions, and the softer body and glaze tones mark it out as a Middle Eastern product.