Description:

A QAJAR COCO-DE-MER BEGGAR'S BOWL (KASHKUL), IRAN, 19TH CENTURY
Iran, 19th century

Description:
A finely carved kashkul (dervish beggar’s bowl) made from the rare coco-de-mer shell, engraved with Persian inscriptions in elegant nastaliq script around the body. Decorative borders of braided interlace and floral scrollwork frame the inscriptions. The underside is adorned with tughra-style calligraphy and elaborate arabesque motifs. Two small holes near the rim suggest original suspension fittings for a chain or cord. The interior is deeply textured and worn, indicative of prolonged devotional use.

This bowl reflects the symbolic and ritual importance of the kashkul in Sufi practice, serving as a spiritual vessel as much as a physical one. The form, inscriptions, and craftsmanship align closely with the artistic language of Qajar-period Iran, combining mysticism, poetic refinement, and high-quality carving.

Dimensions: 26 x 15 x 11.5 cm

Comparable examples:

  • Christie’s, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, London, 25 October 2018, Lot 160: A Qajar coco-de-mer kashkul, inscribed with Persian verse and figural decoration, sold for £10,625.

  • Sotheby’s, Arts of the Islamic World, London, 6 April 2011, Lot 108: A Qajar engraved kashkul with poetic inscription, sold for £9,375.

  • Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, London, 24 October 2023, Lot 127: A 19th-century Persian coco-de-mer kashkul, inscribed and decorated with scrollwork, sold for £7,650.

Notes:
Kashkuls of this type were not merely utilitarian—they signified spiritual humility, worldly renunciation, and divine wisdom. The inscriptions typically contain mystical poetry or praises of religious figures, making each piece unique in both artistic and theological terms. The use of the coco-de-mer, with its naturally suggestive form, further deepens its metaphorical resonance in the Sufi tradition.

 

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
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