Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
From the royal courts of 16th-century Iran to the present day — this rare Safavid tankard tells a story of power, innovation and survival. Join Sara Plumbly, Head of Department, as she explains its extraordinary history.
Likely commissioned by Shah Isma’il I, founder of the Safavid dynasty, the tankard is forged from zinc — a metal rarely used in such ornate objects — and inlaid with gold. This is the only known example still in private hands, with nearly all comparable objects now in museums.
Find out more: christies.com/en/auction/art-of-the-islamic-and-indian-worlds-including-rugs-and-carpets-30721/overview
From the royal courts of 16th-century Iran to the present day — this rare Safavid tankard tells a story of power, innovation and survival. Join Sara Plumbly, Head of Department, as she explains its extraordinary history.
Likely commissioned by Shah Isma’il I, founder of the Safavid dynasty, the tankard is forged from zinc — a metal rarely used in such ornate objects — and inlaid with gold. This is the only known example still in private hands, with nearly all comparable objects now in museums.
Find out more: christies.com/en/auction/art-of-the-islamic-and-indian-worlds-including-rugs-and-carpets-30721/overview
