#mamluk

Over time, the vessel has developed hairline surface cracks, minor enamel loss, and a gentle iridescence. The remaining decoration showcases a vibrant palette of red, yellow, green, white, and blue enamels. Each distinct motif is outlined in fine red lines that trace the craftsman's original layout drawings. This flask's small scale suggests it was a treasured luxury item designed for the everyday, intimate use of the medieval elite. Loc. Private Collection (Sold via Sotheby's London, 2012). Dim. Height unavailable.

Highly prized as luxury items, such vessels were often commissioned for state banquets to signal the owner's status and refined taste. The thuluth inscription on the foot repeats the epithet al alim ("the learned"), suggesting the patron was a scholarly ruler or official. Although the foot is a 19th-century replacement, its addition demonstrates the enduring value collectors place on these rare pieces. Loc. The Toledo Museum of Art, Ohio, US, is selling this piece at Christie’s London on April 30, 2026, to benefit its acquisitions fund. Dim. 32.7 cm H x 20.5 cm Diam (12 7/8 x 8 in.).