A KHORASSANI BRASS EWER North-Eastern Iran, 11th - 12th century Of pyriform shape, on a tall splayed circular foot, rising to a tapering neck and a bullhead-shaped spout, the body incised with roundels, drop-shaped medallions and several rectangular calligraphic cartouches all filled with vegetal tendrils and stylised arabesques, a polylobed medallion incised with a bird and the back of the handle with two snakes, the palmette at the top of the handle reminiscent of Omayyad bronze ewers, 28.7cm high. Provenance: Acquired in 1960’s – 1970’s in Iran and in the UK since 1981.