Ceremonial Tray

Persian — Isfahan, Iran

Description

A large tinned copper tray organised through concentric registers and a central engraved medallion. The surface unfolds from a tightly worked spiral at the centre, enclosed by a dense vegetal field, followed by a broad plain band and an outer engraved border. Each register is contained and clearly defined, establishing a controlled radial progression across the surface.

The rim is articulated through repeated lobed divisions, each panel individually engraved. This segmented perimeter frames the outward movement of the composition and stabilises the overall structure.

Light embossing lifts selected elements from the engraved field, introducing shallow relief while maintaining continuity across the surface. The interaction between engraving and embossing remains measured, preserving legibility without interrupting the underlying order.

The metal retains a stable, softly reflective patina, with tonal variation accentuating the depth of the engraved lines.

Context

Persian trays of this type are structured through concentric organisation and radial expansion. The central spiral determines direction and rate, while surrounding vegetal registers and the articulated rim regulate the movement outward.

The coherence of the whole depends on the alignment of ornament with structure, where each band reinforces the geometry of the form.

Provenance

From the Felice Maffei Collection, Italy

Acquired in Iran, 1968

Available on private enquiry.