Lot 179
  • 179

A rare Mamluk sgraffito pottery bowl with lion of Baybars, Egypt, circa 1260-77 AD

Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 GBP
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Description

  • ceramic
of deep form with everted rim, on a short splayed foot, the earthenware body incised with white engobe, underglaze slip and inglaze-painted, featuring the lion of Baybars in the centre

Condition

The bowl, although reconstructed to its original form, was broken and restored with many sections of infill and associated overpainting, some minor abrasions along external edge, the original pieces are obvious as these still retain most of their glaze and original colours, 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."

Catalogue Note

Inscriptions

Around the inner wall:
‘One of what was made for the Exalted Amir… well-served, the Amir (?), the Treasure house [of excellence] … may [God] glorify him’

In the cartouches around the wall: ‘His Excellency …’

On the other wall, repeat of: ‘Religion (?) and …’

The lion featured in the centre of the bowl is generally associated with the heraldic blazon of Sultan Baybars (r.1260-77 AD), the first great Mamluk Sultan, although it is seen on a number of other vessels, indicating it was used by other patrons as well. A similar Mamluk bowl is in the Al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait (illustrated in Jenkins 1983, p.83) and in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no. C.163-1932). Also, a fragment featuring a lion is in the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, University of Michigan (inv. no. KM 1965.03.0052).