Lot 50. A Safavid soft-paste porcelain bottle, Kirman, South East Iran, 17th century; 15 ¼in. (38.5cm.) high. Estimate GBP 4,000 - GBP 6,000 (USD 5,024 - USD 7,536). © Christie's Images Ltd 2020. 

Of flattened drop-shape rising from a short trumpet foot to a long tapering neck, decorated on both sides with a white floral spray, between white scrolling vine, the neck with later brass mount with gilt floral sprays, the base with a gallery label and an inventory number '3617' in black ink, some chips, small losses to glaze. 

Provenance: With Vincent Robinson and Co. Ltd., 34 Wigmore St., London; inv.no.3617.

Note: During the Safavid period, Kirman potters had become extremely skilled at producing wares decorated with monochrome glazes. These were often decorated with coloured slips of liquid clay under the glaze. The slip was sometimes carved to reveal the white body underneath. In other cases, as in the present example, designs were added in white or other colours. Here, the bottle is covered in a celadon slip, then painted in white slip with floral decoration under a clear glaze. The neck of the bottle has a later brass mount. Qajar brass mounts from the 18th and 19th century were often added later to repair broken sections. The form of our bottle is based on Chinese porcelain vessels probably used for pouring or drinking. For another Safavid bottle of similar form and decoration, see lot 49 in the present sale.

The underside of the bottle has an old label belonging to Vincent J. Robinson & Co. Ltd. They were a London-based art-import firm from whom the Victoria and Albert Museum had purchased the well-known Safavid Ardabil carpet in 1893.

Christie's. Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets, London, 2 April 2020