Large Sasanian Silver Bulb-Shaped Vessel

D-section carved mask with lateral spurs to the brow, exaggerated aquiline nose and broad mouth with raised lips; applied shell and glass inlay to each eye; pierced at the cheeks for attachment; mounted on a custom-made stand. 28.7 grams total, head: 28 mm wide, 83 mm including stand



From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, 1970s-1990s; and a North American collection.

Comprising: a grey steatite seal with a geometric pattern; a concave grey steatite seal with a linear pattern; a black steatite seal with a zig-zag motif; a steatite seal with a man wearing a Syrian fur-trimmed skirt, a figure in a fringed skirt, partition, a frontal nude woman, partition, a figure in a skirt and a tree; a dark grey granite seal with three dashed figures; supplied with museum-quality impressions. 15.3 grams total, 12-19 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. Accompanied by a previous typed catalogue slips with collection nos.6, 7, 19, 42, 68.

With drum-shaped body and broad shoulder, tapering neck and flared mouth, recessed underside, segmented facets to the neck and edge of the shoulder, iridescent surface; repaired. 412 grams, 20.6 cm



Acquired on the UK art market, 1990s. Private collection, New York, USA. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13374-255459.

This object was probably produced in Nishapur, a vital city in the early and middle Islamic period, located on the Silk Road. The people of high and low-level classes of Nishapur, land-owning aristocracy and literates or simple farmers and miners, were able to adapt the cultural trends arriving from the Silk Road, creating a material culture with a distinctive visual language.