Large Indus Valley Ceramic Storage Vessel

Carved in limestone with a D-shaped frame enclosing openwork panel with fronds of leaves and flowers and a pair of addorsed doves and a median rosette; mounted on a custom-made stand. 20 kg total, 74.5 cm wide including stand



with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.202355.

The motif of two birds flanking a plant on which they stand is well-known from Late Antique and Byzantine art, although the central stem is usually a cross or christogram in such cases e.g. on the left side of the sarcophagus of St. Savino, Fusignano, Italy. Islamic art generally does not favour the inclusion of naturalistic representations of living beings.

Each framed and glazed, comprising: a miniature Qur'an manuscript in Naskh script c.1650 A.D., gold embellishment, double margins, chapter headings in gold; a manuscript from a Dala'il prayer book written using Naskh script encased in golden clouds, meandering borders and scrolling floral embellishment; each with explanatory label to reverse of frame.. 570 grams total, 22.2 x 17.2 cm each



Acquired by the vendor's father on the UK art market, before 1990.

Featuring a squat body, domed lid with hinge and central spike, strap handle with cat's head detailing, long spout with writhen mouth and flared foot; spout repaired. 2.4 kg, 33 cm

Fair condition; spout repaired.

Acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Ex property of a Suffolk collector.