Of bulbous spherical form with flat rim, on a splayed foot, the body with successive registers of decoration: the lowermost band depicting running animals, large central frieze with twelve spherical cartouches containing the zodiac signs against a floral background, identifiable from right to left as Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini (as a crossed-leg figure), Cancer, Lion, Virgo (as a seated figure holding two sticks), Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn, the lower band with the inscription interspersed by motifs, fine engraved band of Kufic inscriptions below.
17.5 cm. diam; 19.5 cm. height.
Inscriptions
Around the shoulder in a cursive hand:
al-‘izz wa al-iqbal wa / al-dawlah wa al-sala/mah wa al-sa’adah / wa al-‘afiyah li-sahibih
‘Glory and prosperity and wealth and well-being and happiness and health to its owner’
Around the rim, in Kufic
bi’l-yumn wa al-barakah / wa al-sa’adah wa / al-salamah wa al-daw/lah wa al-kiramah
‘With good-fortune and blessing and happiness and well-being and wealth and honour’