A niello decorated cast bronze incense burner, Khorasan, Iran, 11th-12th century, cast bronze with engraved and punched decoration with niello, knop-head lid with central vertical aperture, carved with foliate kufic band on lid and scrolling...

A niello decorated cast bronze incense burner, Khorasan, Iran, 11th-12th century, cast bronze with engraved and punched decoration with niello, knop-head lid with central vertical aperture, carved with foliate kufic band on lid and scrolling palmettes on body, old collector's number written under foot 'MTW 328', inscriptions repeat of: ‘Perpetual glory’, 9cm. high x 6cm. diam. Provenance: Private Collection Oliver Hoare (1945-2018). Published: Oliver Hoare, Every Object Tells a Story, London, 4 May-5 July 2017, p.182, no.216. Exhibited: Oliver Hoare, Every Object Tells a Story, London, 4 May-5 July 2017. Reminiscent of Buddhist reliquaries, the shape of this incense burner sits at the crossroads of cultures. The technique itself of engraving with niello highlights with an emphasis on foliate palmettes (either on the vines or in the calligraphy) is seen on metalwork from Spain to Persia. A sword pommel in the Furusiyya Art Foundation, attributed to Syria or Persia, ninth-tenth century, displays a similar niello and silver aesthetic with foliate Kufic (inv. no.R-623, see Furusiyya Art Foundation 2008, p.106, no.68).
The bronze with some patina, oxidisation visible on interior and underside, few small dents, scratches and nicks, niello mostly remains, as viewed.