A silver-inlaid bronze inkwell and cover, Khurasan, 12th-13th century

of squat cylindrical form, the body with three suspension handles, a flattened shoulder, central dome and knop finial, body inlaid with silver with interlaced cartouches interspersed with a figure seated between two staffs surmounted by animal heads, the interior with an inscription band, the cover inlaid with further inscription bands, the dome with crescent motifs, the underside with a central knot motif bordered by a band of scrolling foliage

inscriptions

Round the lid in cursive:

al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-rahma wa al-rahma wa a li-sahibihi

‘Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Well-being and Mercy (of God) and Mercy (of God) to its owner’

Round the rim, in Kufic:

bi’l-yumn wa al-baraka / wa al-dawla wa al-baraka / wa al-raha wa al-birr

‘With Good-fortune and Blessing and Wealth and Blessing and Ease and Piety’