LARGE TIN-PLATED COPPER BASIN Egypt or Mamluk Syria, late 15th-early 16th century A deep bowl with slightly sloping sides, finely engraved with a decoration of medallions and lobed cartouches, alternating geometric and stylised floral motifs and three Arabic calligraphic medallions in thuluth, the base joined to the sides using a staple technique. Diameter: 41.5 cm (mouth); 47.5 cm (max.) Source : Private Parisian collection, several generations old A Large Late-Mamluk Tinned-Copper Basin, Egypt or Syria, Late 15th or early 16th century Tinned-copper vessels from the Mamluk period are often attributed to the 15th century, particularly at the end of the century, and it is likely that production continued at least until the Ottoman conquest in 1517. By this time, the scarcity of precious metals available in the sultanate would no longer have made it possible to manufacture the luxury crockery that had been the glory of the Mamluks in previous centuries. However, Mamluk coppersmiths continued to produce high-quality work, as can be seen from the beautiful decoration on this large basin. Its shape, with an almost straight lip and sides, also links it to the 15th century. These basins often seem to be decorated with beautiful calligraphic medallions containing verses of Arabic poetry. A less well-made example is in the British Museum (1957,0802.2). Two very similar basins were sold at Sotheby's. The first, from the collection of Stuart Cary Welch, sold in London on 6 April 2011, no. 23, and the second in Paris, Collection Schikler-Pourtalès, 16 May 2019, no. 22.