Possible Seljuk Era Ceramic (HK Monif)

Hello everyone. Many years ago I came onto this forum trying to get some information on this lamp that I had bought at an estate sale for $3. I was blown away to find out that it is an ancient ceramic vessel.

I wanted to share the photos again in hopes that maybe it will reach someone that has more information on it. And also to show it off

At the time I had contacted many auction houses as I was interested in getting it appraised/sold. I did not hear back from some and others told me they are not interested in anything worth under 5k.

From what I have gathered, HK Monif went to places in the middle East and dug up ancient items and then brought them back to New York to sell. Apparently turning things into a lamp was all the rage in the 20s

Here are some photos of the vase. I can also include a couple pictures in another post for people who don't want to check out a link.

https://imgur.com/gallery/h-k-monif-turquoise-vessel-nuKf2

 

Photo 1

 

Photo 2

 

u could have kept this with the original post.....

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/antique-lamp-beautiful-looks-to-be-ceramic-and-iron.20228/

 

Although I know nothing about ceramics of this era, I was curious enough to start searching online to learn more. AI did come up with this, citing the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, (which gives it more credence than random AI answers). Maybe you could send your photos and inquiry to the Met/Cloisters. Since they have Montif's records there is a decent chance that they could identify your piece. Are there any other numbers that might be a gallery or collection number (handwritten, another sticker) on the bottom of your piece? If so, maybe the number could be matched to the gallery records held by the Met.

"AI:
H.K. Monif (H. Khan Monif) was a prominent art dealer associated with the Brummer Gallery in the early 20th century. Records indicate he was active in the art trade, with correspondence dating back to at least 1929, and his records are held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art +1

• Full Name: H. Khan Monif.
• Role: Art dealer, particularly involved with the Brummer Gallery.
• Significance: He is mentioned in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Cloisters Library and Archives, specifically within the Brummer Gallery Records.
• Activity Period: Documented correspondence from 1929."

I decided to search the Met's collection to see if I could find anything similar, using H. Khan Montif, ceramics, Iran, Islamic Art (department), 1000-1200 (date) for search parameters. I found no exact matches, but did find one with a griffin relief similar to the "panther" on your vesssel. Since the image is labelled "Public Domain," it should be legal to load the picture here (although Antiquers "full image" remained small size. Go to the url to look at a larger image)


This might be a little later than Seljuk empire (1037-1194) but the panther/griffin motif is very similar.

Entry does not mention H.K. Montif sticker, so I feel lucky that my search found it. (Serendity as research method!)

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/449686

Large Turquoise Jar

12th–13th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455

This large earthenware jar holds four registers of molded decoration containing motifs typical of the Seljuq period, including winged griffins set against a scrolling background, an elegant arabesque design, and a series of inscriptions with good wishes written in small kufic script. Although the original function of this jar is not known, similar earthenware jugs may have been used to hold grains or wine.

• Title: Large Turquoise Jar
• Date: 12th–13th century
• Geography: Made in Iran
• Medium: Earthenware; molded and glazed
• Dimensions: H. 31 1/2 in. (80 cm)
  Diam. 18 1/2 (47 cm
• Classification: Ceramics
• Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1939
• Object Number: 39.189
• Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Inscription: Good wishes; felicity, peace, generosity, power, longevity to the owner

In kufic script:
... و الدولة و السعادة و السلا[مة] الطائعة و الدالة و البقا لصا[حبه]

(A.Ghouchani, 2011 )

Provenance: [ Hagop Kevorkian, New York, until 1939; sold to MMA]

The next closest (turquoise glaze but different shape and floral motifs) was
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/451200 . This did have the HK Montif sticker: Sticker below base: HK [Moni]f / [?] / 645 / Madison Avenue
- Sticker below base: PX 49 / 336

 

Second foray into google AI came up with more info for H.K. Montif (death date and other museums that own work from his galllery):

"H.K. Monif (died 1964) was a
notable New York-based art dealer and antique specialist operating from 640-645 Madison Avenue. Associated with items in the Yale University Art Gallery and Brooklyn Museum, Monif handled rare, historical pieces, including Mesopotamian stucco fragments, as shown in Bonhams.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art +3
Key details regarding H.K. Monif:

• Location: 640/645 Madison Avenue, New York City.
• Specialty: Antique dealer, often associated with Islamic art and ancient artifacts.
• Period: Active before 1964.