An inscribed Mamluk brass bowl or drum, Syria, 15th century

of conical form on a low foot, the flaring sides decorated with a thick band of vertical cartouches of either a latticework, vegetal or plain ground, the rim with eight roundels of alternating latticework and foliate designs with two panels of cursive script  

Twelve drilled holes have been filled in around the inside of the rim, the foot is a later addition, some rubbing to the rim and base, 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."

Inscription

mimma 'umila bi-rasm al-maqarr al-ahraf al-karim al- 'ali al-mawlawi al-sayfi/aynal (Inal) mawlana malik al-umara kafil al-mamlika al-tarabulusiya

'One of the things made for Noble authority, the Honourable, the High, the Lordly, al-Sayfi (Sayf al-Din) Aynal (Inal), our Lord, the king of commanders (Malik al-umara), the Viceroy of the land of Tripoli'

Mayer, who recorded the inscriptions on the main mosque in Hama, has suggested this Aynal (Inal) to be the same as Aynal al-Ashqar al-Ashrafi who died of plague in 892 (1491-2). (L. A. Mayer, Saracenic Heraldry, Oxford, 1999 edition, pp.89-90). The blazon on the Hama mosque is the one closest to that used on this piece too.

There is also record of an Inal al-khasif (sic) al-Ashrafi who governed Hama at the end of his career under Sultan Qaytbay (r. 1468-98) (see, al-Sakhawi, Shams al-Din Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-Rahman, al-Daw' al-lami' li ahl al-qarn al-tasi', II, Cairo, 1353/1934, repr. Beirut n.d., p.337).

Whilst originally designed as a bowl, this example has been re-worked at a later date for use as a drum, or vice versa, it is hard to say. However, it is typical of Mamluk drums with its flared sides and flat bottom, and it can be seen that there were once twelve holes drilled though the rim (since filled in) which would have been used to attach the skin to the top. 

A feature of Mamluk society was its rigid military hierarchy and one aspect of this was each rank having its own specific weapons and uniforms.  Indeed the Amirs of Forty were priviliged enough to possess their own military band, or tablakhana, who would accompany the amirs into battle "playing an assortment of drums, horns and cymbals" (Atil 1981, p.110).

A similar drum to this can be found in the Musée de Damas, inv. A. 4513 (see Cluzan, Delpont & Moulliérac (eds.) 1993, p.468, pl.371).