A NISHAPUR 'IBEX AND BEAST' POTTERY BOWL, 9TH - 10TH CENTURY
Northeast Iran. The bowl with slightly rounded sides, the interior well painted with an ibex and a mythical creature, framed by concentric bands of calligraphy and decorative patterns. The exterior with alternating stylized leaves and stripes. Some areas glazed in pale yellow and turquoise.

Provenance: From the collection of Karl Stirner, and thence by descent. The base with a label describing the bowl as 'Islamic 12th century A.D. [sic] Seljuk Kufic script', another collector's label '#34', and an inscription with '#34'. Karl Stirner (1923-2016) was a German-born American sculptor known internationally for his metalwork. His art has been shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Corcoran Gallery, the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, the James A. Michener Art Museum, the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey, and the Delaware Art Museum, among other places.
Condition: Commensurate with age, extensive wear, chips, losses, breakage and old repairs, touch-ups, soil encrustations.

Weight: 533.3 g
Dimensions: Diameter 21.2 cm, Height 7.4 cm

Nishapur is the historic capital of the western half of Greater Khorasan and of the 9th century Tahirid dynasty, the initial capital of the 11th century Seljuk Empire, and a historic Silk Road city. It is situated in a fertile plain at the foot of Binalud Mountain Range. Nearby are several mines that have supplied the world with turquoise of the highest quality for at least two millenniums.

Literature comparison: Compare a Nishapur pottery bowl with ibex and geometric motifs, dated to the 9th century, in the Newark Museum.

Auction result comparison: Compare a related Nishapur pottery bowl, dated to the 10th century, of larger size (31.4 cm), at Christie's London in Arts of Islam Including Property from the Bequest of Adrienne Minassian sold to benefit Brown University on 26 April 2013, lot 647, sold for 4,375.