Unusually large basin made of Mamluk brass sold at Sotheby’s

CAIRO – 27 April 2022: Sotheby's recently held an auction under the title "Arts of the Islamic World & India, including Luxurious Carpets", and many antiques were sold.

The pieces sold included a huge brass basin made of Mamluk brass. The basin belonged to Egypt or Syria at the early 14th century, and its price was estimated between £80,000 and £120,000, but it was sold for £177,000.

The brass basin has a large and deep round shape. The sides are embossed with a broad band interspersed with medallions, the indentations are vegetated, the lower is a palm-fronded scroll band, and the interior has a central pink medallion.

This particular basin is distinguished from other round vessels made by Mamluk metalworkers due to its unusually large size.

Another precious piece of an illuminated paper was sold. The paper came from a Persian Dictionary created by Jamaluddin Hussain Ingo, India, during the early 17th century. Its price was estimated between £10,000 and £15,000, and it was sold for £44,000.

This folio comes from a dictionary of the Persian language. The dictionary was made under the auspices of Emperor Jahangir and was submitted to him in 1623.  The epic task was taken over by Jamaluddin Hussain Ingo of Shiraz (d. 1626), who compiled a dictionary listing about 10,000 words taken from the works of Persian poets.