A shallow decorative bowl executed in the traditional fish pond style, likely of Persian Qajar or Mamluk Revival origin. The vessel is constructed from a hammered silver-toned metal featuring a distinct martelé finish throughout the body. The interior is centred by a prominent eight-lobed gadrooned boss in high relief, surrounded by a school of six repoussé fish arranged in a circular swimming formation. The heads of the fish and the centres of the floral motifs are accented with parcel-gilding. Six lozenge-shaped cartouches containing intricate foliate arabesque patterns are chased into the interior walls, interspersed with a fine chased ground. The exterior is decorated with a wide horizontal band at the rim containing panels of stylized calligraphic script, likely Arabic or Persian benedictory phrases, set against a ground of fine scrolling vine-work. The lower exterior body features four larger, equidistantly spaced lozenge-shaped cartouches with dense foliate chasing and central gilt highlights, mirroring the interior decorative scheme.
H: Approximately 5xm
D: Approximately 16.7cm
303.5g































