A NEAR PAIR OF KHORASAN SILVER-INLAID BRONZE DISHESNORTH EAST IRAN, 13TH CENTURYA NEAR PAIR OF KHORASAN SILVER-INLAID BRONZE DISHESNORTH EAST IRAN, 13TH CENTURYEach of concave circular form with thickened lip, rising through a sloping section in the centre and bulbous knop supporting a flanged boss, the internal surface richly engraved and inlaid with silver confronted figures, many with musical instruments, a band of similarly inlaid decoration composed of running animals around the base of the knop, rope-like pattern around the rim, silver well preservedEach 31/2in. (9cm.) diam.Although a number of these small dishes are known, their purpose is not clear. One has been displayed as the cover to a bowl, whose decoration it very closely resembles, but which did not arrive with the bowl (Chevaux et Cavaliers arabes, exhibition catalogue, Paris, 2002, no.157, p.187). In his discussion of an example in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Melikian-Chirvani suggests that they are not covers of jugs, since that form is known, but cannot suggest another use (A.S.Melikian-Chirvani, Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, 8th-18th Centuries, London, 1982, no.49, pp.121-2). An unusually fine example with traces of gold inlay was sold in these Rooms 17 April 2007, lot 74.细节 A NEAR PAIR OF KHORASAN SILVER-INLAID BRONZE DISHESNORTH EAST IRAN, 13TH CENTURYEach of concave circular form with thickened lip, rising through a sloping section in the centre and bulbous knop supporting a flanged boss, the internal surface richly engraved and inlaid with silver confronted figures, many with musical instruments, a band of similarly inlaid decoration composed of running animals around the base of the knop, rope-like pattern around the rim, silver well preservedEach 31/2in. (9cm.) diam. 来源 Anon. sale, Christies, London, 23 October 2007, lot 135. 注意事项 The USA prohibits the purchase by US persons of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments. The US sanctions apply to US persons regardless of the location of the transaction or the shipping intentions of the US person. For this reason, Christie’s will not accept bids by US persons on this lot. Non-US persons wishing to import this lot into the USA are advised that they will need to apply for an OFAC licence and that this can take many months to be granted.