Fil Caravan Art & Antiques · New York

Metalwork & Silver

Mamluk Revival Silver Sugar Bowl, Signed "Work of Ali"

Footed silver sugar bowl · North Caucasus · early 20th century

US $585.00 · or best offer

Early 20th-century North Caucasus silver sugar bowl with hand-chased star and polygon decoration, scalloped rim, overhead swing handle, and three ball feet.
Silver sugar bowl with chased geometric cartouches and swing bail handle, North Caucasus.

Description

A Mamluk Revival solid silver footed sugar bowl from the North Caucasus, early 20th century. It weighs 194 grams in 84 zolotnik (.875 fine) silver, with a scalloped outturned rim, a working overhead swing bail handle, and three original spherical ball feet.

The exterior carries a hand-chased decorative program of interconnected star and polygon cartouches filled with tight arabesques, a geometry drawn from classical Islamic design and revived by silversmiths across the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The gauge of the silver, the uniform depth of the chasing, and the practical swing bail all point to an experienced hand working within established regional guild standards.

The base preserves a clear struck maker's mark, an Islamic-script ligature reading "Amal 'Ali" (عمل علي), Work of Ali, together with the 84 fineness stamp. The bowl stands flat and balanced on its feet, with walls of uniform thickness and a sound rim profile.

Photographs

Details

OriginNorth Caucasus
PeriodEarly 20th century
StyleMamluk Revival
Material84 zolotnik / .875 fine silver
Weight194 grams (gross)
FormFooted sugar bowl; scalloped outturned rim; overhead swing bail handle; three ball feet
TechniqueHand-chased star and polygon cartouches with arabesques
Maker's MarkIslamic-script ligature "Amal 'Ali" (عمل علي), Work of Ali
ReferenceeBay item 278035978363

Condition

In very good antique condition. The structure is sound throughout, with no observed repairs, tears, thinning, or later soldering; the ball-foot joints are original and firm and the swing handle hinges operate smoothly. An authentic patina has settled into the recesses of the pattern, with minor age-appropriate micro-scratches and light surface marks to the base and interior.