May this bowl be ever filled with God's blessings;
And always stand among friendly folk.
Your thanks are due to God's grace;
May his mercy be on the owner of the food.

This bowl, which contains rubies, its rim is like the ruby's edge;
From its song comes happy peace, expansion of the soul.
From the soul of the generous one is his gift, like food will it be.

--Inscription on a 17th century Persian Bowl in the Royal Ontario Museum