A silver-inlaid bronze sprinkler or bottle base, Khurasan, 12th century

the cylindrical body tapering at the top to a horizontal shoulder housing a raised circular aperture, the body encircled by vertical gadroons, four of broader form placed as the cardinal points on the body chased and inlaid alternatively with cursive calligraphy and  Kufic on stylised foliate scrolls, the shoulder chased and inlaid with a circular band of cursive calligraphy on a ground of further stylised foliate scrolls, the base with a circular aperture, probably created later

Baer 1983, p.61, no.43.

fragmentary, overall in good condition, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Inscriptions

Around the shoulder in cursive

al-'izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-sa'ada wa al-salama wa al-ni'ma wa al-'afiya wa al-kirama

'Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness and Well-being and [God's] Grace and Health and Generosity'

On the body in Kufic

bi'l-yumn wa al-baraka wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa'[da]

'With Good-fortune and Blessing and Wealth and Well-being and Happiness'

On the body in cursive

al-'izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-sa'ada wa al-sa[lama ?]

'Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness and Well-being'

The origins of the form may be as early as the 10th century, judging by a sprinkler body with similar though broader gadrooning, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Melikian-Chirvani 1982, p.46, no.7). The present example combines the appeal of both cast design and chased and inlaid decoration.

This group of sprinklers, or perhaps bottles, received a tremendous variation in its decorative treatment as is shown by other comparable examples such as the piece in the Louvre (Baer 1983, p.62, no.44). Another example has the name of a maker: Abd al-Razzaq b. Mas'ud al-Nishapuri (Baer 1983, p.61).