Basin named after a great emir (officer) of Sultan Malik as-Salih

Basin named after a great emir (officer) of Sultan Malik as-Salih

Syria or Mamluk Egypt, mid-14th century

Of deep cylindrical form with a wide flared rim, the inner rim with a wide band of thuluth calligraphy separated by foliate roundels, surmounting a thinner band of hunting animals, the exterior decorated with four inscribed oblong cartouches, interspersed with arabesque medallions, the base was later replaced. Condition: base replaced, minor crack to lower edge, a few knocks. 19 x 43.5 cm This basin demonstrates the quality of execution and calligraphic elegance emblematic of the work of Mamluk craftsmen, heirs to the Ayyubid craftsmen. Calligraphic bands in elongated thuluth became the main decorative element of metal objects produced for the rulers of Egypt in the first decades of the 14th century. The blossoming lotus flower is reminiscent of Chinese prototypes. The two important epigraphic registers on the outside and inside rim give the long titles of an anonymous emir in the service of Sultan al-Malik al-Salih. This name may refer to three Mamluk sultans of the 14th century: al-Malik al-Salih Isma'il (r. 1342-5), al-Malik al-Salih Salih (r. 1351-4), al-Malik al-Salih known as al-Mansur Hajji II (r. 1382 and 1389-90); however, stylistically, this large basin can only be linked to the first two. Provenance : Sotheby's sale, London, April 22, 2015, n°13. On loan to the Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, from 1998 to 2015. Former French collection of Jacques Arcache, in Cairo before 1965, who died in St Cloud in 1978. Bibliography: Museum Album, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, 2012, reproduced p. 276, no. 245. Inscriptions : a) Interior - al-janab al-karim al-'ali al-mawlawi al-m/aliki al-'alimi al-'amili al-'adi[l]/i al-muhajidi al-murabiti al-muthaghiri al-mu'ayyad/i al-dhukhri al-'awni al-ghiyathi al-maliki al-salihi - 'His honourable excellency, the high, the lord, the possessor, the learned, the diligent, the righteous, the champion of faith, the defender, the protector of borders, the assisted (of God), the treasure house, the helper, the helper, the affiliate of al-Malik al-Salih'. - 'His honourable excellency, the high, the lordly, the possessor, the learned, the diligent, the just, the champion of the faith, the defender, the protector of frontiers, the assisted (by God), the treasure house, the help, the succour, the affiliated with al-Malik al-Salih.' b) Exterior - al-janab al-karim al-'ali al-mawlawi al-ma/liki al-amiri al-kabiri al-'alimi al-'amili / al-'ad[ili] al-muhajidi al-murabiti al-muthaghiri a / al-dhukhri al-'awni al-akmali al-awhadi al-ra ... - His honourable excellency, the lord, the possessor, the great emir, the learned, the diligent, the just, the champion of faith, the defender, the protector of borders, the treasure house, the helper, the perfect, the unique, the ...''. -'His honourable excellency, the lordly, the possessor, the great emir, the learned, the diligent, the just, the champion of the faith, the defender, the protector of frontiers, the treasure house, the help, the perfect, the unique, the ... ' A monumental Mamluk brass for a great emir (officer) of Sultan Malik as-Salih Mamluk Syria or Egypt, mid-14th century