Description:

Lot 234. A FINE CALLIGRAPHIC INSCRIBED SAFAVID TINNED COPPER BOWL, PERSIA, 17TH CENTURY

This refined tinned copper bowl is a distinguished example of 17th-century Safavid Persian metalwork, celebrated for its calligraphic precision and ornamental harmony. The bowl is shallow and circular with gently curving sides, resting on a small, discreet base.

The interior is richly engraved with concentric registers of arabesques, geometric forms, and vegetal scrolls radiating from a central rosette. Around the inner wall, a continuous thuluth inscription unfolds elegantly, likely comprising benedictory or poetic verses extolling divine wisdom and prosperity. The composition demonstrates the Safavid mastery of proportion and rhythm — where calligraphy and ornament coexist in perfect aesthetic balance.

The exterior mirrors this sophistication, featuring delicate bands of stylised foliage and arabesque tracery, subtly framed by geometric borders. Faint traces of the original tinning remain, giving the surface a soft silvery sheen and further emphasizing the contrast between engraved and polished areas.

This vessel exemplifies the artistic finesse of Safavid Iran, where script was elevated to a visual art form and integrated seamlessly into metalwork design.

Dimensions: Diameter 19 cm

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November 7, 2025 1:00 PM GMT
London, United Kingdom

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