22nd Apr, 2026 12:00

Arts of India and the Islamic Lands

 
  Lot 36
 


Lot 36 - A TIMURID ENGRAVED TINNED COPPER JUG (MASHRABE)
Click for high resolution

36

A TIMURID ENGRAVED TINNED COPPER JUG (MASHRABE)
Iran or present-day Afghanistan, 15th - early 16th century

A TIMURID ENGRAVED TINNED COPPER JUG (MASHRABE)
Iran or present-day Afghanistan, 15th - early 16th century

Of squat globular form, resting on a small circular foot, with a tall cylindrical neck, slightly everted rim, with the sides featuring and a long, stylized dragon shaped handle. The neck engraved with a band of lotus blooms and foliate stems. The body engraved with a band of calligraphy in thuluth script and floral cartouches over hatched ground.

Jugs (mashrabe) like this are among the best-known metalworks of the Timurid period. Their design is linked to early 15th century Ming pottery, sharing a similar shape with a short, rounded body, straight cylindrical neck and dragon-shaped handle.
The decorative motifs are largely similar across known examples, typically featuring an intricately ornamented body and neck with foliate stems and occasionally calligraphic panels. Komaroff has connected these designs to manuscript illumination, indicating interaction between metalworkers and the kitab-khaneh.

11cm x 12.3cm

For further reference on the subject see: The blue and white Ming porcelain tankard at the British Museum, London, inv. no. 1950,0403.1; Komaroff, L., The Golden Disk of Heaven: Metalwork of Timurid Iran, California and New York, 1992.
Unsold
Estimated at £500 - £600

 

A TIMURID ENGRAVED TINNED COPPER JUG (MASHRABE)
Iran or present-day Afghanistan, 15th - early 16th century

Of squat globular form, resting on a small circular foot, with a tall cylindrical neck, slightly everted rim, with the sides featuring and a long, stylized dragon shaped handle. The neck engraved with a band of lotus blooms and foliate stems. The body engraved with a band of calligraphy in thuluth script and floral cartouches over hatched ground.

Jugs (mashrabe) like this are among the best-known metalworks of the Timurid period. Their design is linked to early 15th century Ming pottery, sharing a similar shape with a short, rounded body, straight cylindrical neck and dragon-shaped handle.
The decorative motifs are largely similar across known examples, typically featuring an intricately ornamented body and neck with foliate stems and occasionally calligraphic panels. Komaroff has connected these designs to manuscript illumination, indicating interaction between metalworkers and the kitab-khaneh.

11cm x 12.3cm

For further reference on the subject see: The blue and white Ming porcelain tankard at the British Museum, London, inv. no. 1950,0403.1; Komaroff, L., The Golden Disk of Heaven: Metalwork of Timurid Iran, California and New York, 1992.

Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 22nd Apr, 2026

We are excited to present our Islamic and Indian Art Auction.

The sale brings together a remarkable collection of rare textiles, lacquerwear, woodwork, manuscripts and more. Featuring a 13th century bronze Ayyubid candlestick (lot 29), a monumental Indian silver-overlaid wooden footstool (lot 140) and an Ottoman calligraphic silk lampas panel from the inner covering of the Ka’ba (lot 166). 

One further unmissable highlight is the beautifully enamelled 18 carat gold pocket watch by Breguet et Fils, produced for the Ottoman market (lot 148). We are delighted also to present further pieces from the collection of Mr Georges Antaki in this auction, which promises something of interest for all collectors interested in Islamic and Indian art.

Sale date(s) & Start time:

22 Apr 2026 12:00 BST

Viewing

Viewing date(s) & Start time(s):

17 Apr 2026 10:00 - 16:00
18 Apr 2026 11:00 - 16:00
20 Apr 2026 10:00 - 16:00
21 Apr 2026 10:00 - 16:00

View all lots in this sale