Description:

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

Description:
A finely crafted beggar’s bowl (kashkul) made from the natural husk of the coco-de-mer nut, a rare and prized material for these iconic vessels. The form retains its distinctive boat-like silhouette, with a dark, polished surface and silver mounts to either end. The simplicity of the design allows the natural beauty and curvature of the coco-de-mer to remain the visual focus, echoing the ascetic symbolism central to dervish culture.

The vessel would have been carried suspended from a chain over the shoulder, used by wandering dervishes (dervish faqirs) for the collection of alms, food, or water. Despite its utilitarian function, this example exhibits a refined aesthetic and excellent preservation of form. The lustrous finish suggests careful use and maintenance. Minor age-related cracks and patina are consistent with devotional handling and time.

Dimensions:
Length: 28cm
Height: 12cm

Comparable examples:

  • A similar Qajar-period coco-de-mer kashkul with silver mounts, Christie’s, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, London, 25 October 2018, Lot 171, sold for £9,375.

  • A larger Qajar coco-de-mer kashkul, with repoussé silver embellishments, Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, London, 23 April 2012, Lot 63, sold for £7,500.

  • A comparable example, British Museum, London, reg. no. 2003,0314.1, published in Islamic Art in the British Museum, which illustrates the enduring ceremonial significance of these vessels.

Note:
The use of coco-de-mer — a nut native to the Seychelles — was highly prized in Islamic devotional art due to its rarity, exotic origins, and symbolic shape. Kashkuls formed an essential part of the dervish identity, simultaneously functional and mystical. Qajar examples reflect both piety and craftsmanship, often blending natural and precious materials in elegant harmony.

 

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
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