This impressive piece of metalwork was produced in Khurasan, Persia (present-day Iran) in the 12th century. This round basin has a flaring foliated rim and the centre of the basin features panels of scrolling vines around silver-inlaid crescent roundels and a narrow band of repeated inscription in kufic script. The sides have a broad band of repeated inscriptions in naskh script with human heads on the end of vertical letters. The inscriptions are benedictory.This metal basin features a combination of calligraphy and geometric as well as scrolling designs - the three important forms of Islamic artistic expression.
