Beschreibung:

(Islamic & Indian Art, 16th April 2021) A PAIR OF FINELY ENGRAVED JA'FAR SILVER VASES Qajar Iran, ca. 1900 A PAIR OF FINELY ENGRAVED JA'FAR SILVER VASES Qajar Iran, ca. 1900 Each of typical inverted bulbous shape, resting on a circular flat base, with a flared body rising to wide shoulders and a narrower straight cylindrical rim, the exterior a tour de force of figural decorations comprising large chased oval medallions in relief with floral collars illustrating hunting scenes of riders on horseback hunting wild boars, onagres and lions with village and city views to the background, the medallions interspersed with compositions of three overlapping cusped cartouches finely engraved with wild animals, birds and intricate floral stems and sprays, to the base and shoulders overlapping horizontal bands engraved with more animals and flower motifs, and calligraphic cartouches in naskh script alternating lobed medallions with floral bouquets, stamped to each base 'Amal-e Ja'far (the work of Ja'far), each 19cm high, 1506gr. The epigraphic band running around the shoulders is unique to each vase and does not repeat itself. The text is an extract from the Lama'at (Divine Flashes), a poetical work in the genre of 'language of love' by the Persian Sufi master and poet Fakhr al-Din Ibrahim 'Iraqi (1213 - 1289), often referred to as 'Araqi because he was born in the village of Komeyjan near the city of Arak. In the Lama'at, 'Iraqi portrays his Weltanschauung, explaining that the world is a mirror reflecting God's Names and Qualities and not a "veil" that ought to be lifted. The choice of quoting a less well-known poet, unlike Sa'di and Hafez, seems to indicate this pair as a special private commission to the Ja'far workshop. (Qty: 2) each 19cm high