A rare Abbasid Lustre Bowl depicting two birds, signed Bin Khaldan, Iraq, 10th century

the earthenware body of open form with slightly everted rim on a low foot, decorated with in golden monochrome lustre over an opacified tin glaze, the central roundel featuring a talismanic Solomonic seal painted in reserve with 'umila inscribed at the focal point, the cavetto painted with a pair of collared birds whose wings are filled with stylised peacock eyes, the interstices with contour panels filled with hatched lines, the back with five large medallions against a background of peacock eye motifs, the base inscribed with the name of the potter

Croisier Collection, Switzerland

Iraq and China: Ceramics, Trade, and Innovation, Sackler Gallery, Washington, D.C., December 4, 2004 - July 17, 2005.
Perpetual Glory, Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007.

Kunst Schatze Zurich, Zurich, 1962.
O. Pancaroglu, Perpetual Glory, Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007, pp.48, no.8.

Overall good condition, restored from fragments with associated overpainting, abrasions and craquelure, 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."

inscriptions

Inscription in the centre:
The word 'umila 'made [by]'

Inscription under the base:
'Bin Khaldan'

For other pieces signed by Bin Khaldan, see, Helen Philon, Early Islamic Ceramics, Benaki Museum, Athens, 1980, figs.298 and 336. The use of the six-pointed star or "Seal of Solomon", which is to be found in nearly all periods of Islamic art, symbolizes the balance of earthly and heavenly realms and would have been incorporated as a prophylactic or magical symbol to protect the owner or person using the bowl.