Lot 172. A Nishapur slip-painted calligraphic pottery dish, Persia or Central Asia, circa 10th century; 33cm. diam. Lot sold: 27,720 GBP (Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000 GBP). © 2021 Sotheby's

the earthenware body of almost flat form, with a shallow cavetto and wide rim, on a short foot, decorated with a cream slip-painted ground featuring a bold Kufic inscription along the edge in dark brown, reverse plain.

Provenance: Private collection since 1980s.

inscriptions: Words taken from various sayings, undecipherable.

The inscriptions on the dishes from this period were written in various forms, the present example being particularly bold. It is comparable in shape also to a dish in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, inv. no.C.909-1935. 

Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets, London, 27 October 2021