A Khurasan Silver-inlaid Ewer


A Khurasan Silver-inlaid Ewer, Herat, 12th Century
constructed of sheet metal, beaten, engraved and inlaid with silver, of characteristic form with cylindrical faceted body with twelve sides, tapering upwards and supported on a short waisted foot, the flattened shoulder joined to the neck by a sunburst moulding inlaid with a calligraphic band, the narrow cylindrical neck decorated with two repoussé lions sejant, the faceted spout with a repoussé lion couchant, faceted tapering handle, the body engraved and inlaid with twelve cusped cartouches filled with zodiacal signs reserved on a ground of scrolling split-palmettes, knot pendants and rosettes, bands of calligraphy above and below, the shoulder with a band of running quadrupeds, the handle with engraved rope motif 35.2cm. height