Ca. 1200 AD. A beautiful tray hammered from a thin sheet of bronze into a rectangular shape with a shallow basin and broad lateral panels with a pronounced edge. The interior of the basin is adorned with a central roundel with a bird, possibly a peacock and it serves as the focal point of the design. The roundel is flanked by two stylised fish(?), and further surrounded by calligraphic panels featuring blessings, adding a spiritual element to the design and reflecting the Islamic cultural values of the time. Bronze trays such as this one were often used for serving food or as decorative display pieces, with their ornate designs and calligraphic inscriptions serving as expressions of wealth, status, and cultural identity.Size: L:290mm / W:185mm ; 305gProvenance: Property of a London Islamic art specialist collector; previously in a collection formed since the 1980s.