Bidspirit auction | ISLAMIC BRONZE BUCKET, OR CAULDRON

ISLAMIC BRONZE BUCKET, OR CAULDRON - Ca. 12th - 13th century AD.Metal buckets were common in pre-Islamic cultures of the Middle East and it is likely that their Islamic versions were based on the classical prototype of a tapering cylindrical form, known to have been produced in Egypt. In the past it has been suggested that such vessels would have been used to carry hot water in bath-houses, but the nature of the material (bronze), along with its elaborate decoration and inlays would seem to indicate it being used rather as an ablutions basin for purification.Size: 200mm x 190mm; Weight: 1.78kgProvenance: Property of a London Islamic art specialist collector; previously in a collection formed since the 1980s.