A SMALL SAMANID EPIGRAPHIC CONICAL POTTERY BOWLPROBABLY SAMARKAND, CENTRAL ASIA, 10TH CENTURYOf conical form in pottery covered in white slip, decorated with a Kufic inscription around the inner rim in black and mid-tone brown slips under a clear glaze. Together with a Japanese wooden box.4.5cm high, 10.5cm diameterPROVENANCE:Tokyo art market.OTHER NOTES:For similar Kufic decoration albeit on a much larger bowl, see Christie's London, 'Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds', 8 April 2008, lot 5