A square-shaped brass tray inlaid with silver and copper, and a central well of octagonal form. The middle of the well engraved with a radiating and interlocking geometric pattern, surrounded by four bands of calligraphy, each punctuated by a crescent-shaped motif with a twisted point and terminating with a triangular base. The recessed spandrels are of floral arabesques and the outer borders have a band of calligraphy punctuated by crescent-shaped motifs.

Persia or Afghanistan
12th Century

Diameter: 22.7cm
Height: 3.9cm

This impressive square tray retains all its original inlay decoration, which reflect the varied decorative repertoire of the period. The central roundel composed of geometrical interlacing pattern is similar to the one adorning a tray now in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection; the calligraphic cartouches are punctuated by a crescent-shaped motif with twisted points, a motif also found on a silver-inlaid brass tray dated to the thirteenth century, now in the Keir Collection and in another tray now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Fehervari 1976
G. Fehervari, Islamic Metalwork of the Eight to the Fifteenth Century in the Keir Collection,
London, 1976

Rogers 2010
J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam, masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London, 2010

Inscription
Around the outer border
العز و الاقبال / و الدولة و التا/مة و الدوامة و ا/لسعادة و الد / [ا]لشفاعة … و الثنا لصاحبه
“Glory and wealth and prosperty and entirety and endurance and happiness and … intercession [of the prophet … and praise to its owner.”
Around the centre
باليمن و البر/كة و الدولة / و السعادة و التا/مة و البر (؟) لصاحبه
“With good fortune and blessing and wealth and happiness and entirety and piety (?) to its owner.”

1. The D. Nasser Khalili Collection, London, inv.no.MTW 1363; published in Rogers 2010, no.108, p.99.
2. The Keir Collection of Islamic Art on loan to the Dallas Museum of Art, inv.no.K.1.2014.72; published in Fehervari 1976, no.77.
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inv.no.56.144, available at https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/451339