Long-spouted vessel with engraved decoration and inscription

Spouted bowls were known in earlier eras (a number of Mamluk examples have survived), but the graceful curves of this bowl are characteristic of Safavid metalwork. Such bowls could be used for a variety of purposes (see illustration), but this one has Persian verses about the bath, indicating that this was its primary use. This bowl has lost most of its tin coating. Notes from the Glory and Prosperity exhibition, Feb - June 2002.