An important bronze cauldron signed by the maker Abu Bakr Ibn Ahmad Marwazi, probably Kubachi, Daghestan, 12th-13th century

cast in hemispherical form supported on three tapering conical feet, a narrow flattened rim with four projecting pointed flanges, a pair of loop handles, each with a trefoil finial flanked by a pair of pointed elements, one flange with a pair of raised lips either side of a recessed pouring mouth and flanked by two roundels of elaborate knot motifs, the opposing flange with a cusped cartouche of stylized Kufic, further decorated with roundels and tear-shaped panels of palmettes within split palmettes, the rim with slender bands variously of interweaving split palmettes and interlocking strapwork, the reverse plain, the base with a casting protrusion, traces of black substance

Islamic Art from the Collection of the Fogg Museum, The Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, 1974
Birds, Beasts and Calligraphy, Harvard Art Museum, 1981
Islamic Art and the Written Word, Harvard Art Museums, 1983
The Heritage of Islam, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston; California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh; National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; Brooklyn Museum, 1982-1984
Glory and Prosperity; Metalwork of the Islamic World, Harvard University Art Museums, 2002

patination to surface, some minor losses to extremities, overall good condition, 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

'Work of Abu Bakr ibn Ahmad Marwazi'

This cauldron is closely related in form to an example in the Victoria and Albert Museum, considered to be from Khurasan of the 10th or 11th century and also including the maker's name in its decoration (Melikian-Chirvani 1982, p.48, no.10).  Another closely related cauldron of the 12th century was excavated at Samarqand (Paris 1992, p.120, no.329). The Victoria and Albert Museum has another example thought to date from the 13th century (Melikian-Chirvani 1982, p.180, no.80). This was reputedly found in the ruins of Afrasiyab, the site of the early medieval city of Samarqand. The earliest known occurrence of this form is a cauldron in stone that was excavated at Nishapur (Melikian-Chirvani 1982, p.49).

Six cauldrons carrying the maker's name of Abu Bakr ibn Ahmad Marwazi have been recorded, including one in the Art Museum of Georgia, Tbilisi, which is a near-identical piece to the present example (Loukonine and Ivanov 2003, p.119, no.119). Since the majority of these were either bought or remain today in Daghestan (Kubachi), it has been suggested that this maker was active there though he hailed from Marv, as suggested by his nisba 'Marwazi'. Another cauldron, lot 30 in this sale, comes from a slightly later tradition more firmly attributed to Daghestan.